Pañca-Parameṣṭhi

Jainism

This article is part of a series on Jainism
Philosophy
Anekāntavāda · Syādvāda · Nayavāda · Jain Cosmology  · Ahimsa · Karma · Dharma · Nirvana  · Kevala Jñāna  · Mokṣa · Dravya · Navatattva · Asteya · Aparigraha · Dharma · Gunasthana · Samsara
Major figures
The 24 Tirthankaras · Rishabha · Mahavira · Acharya  · Ganadhara · Siddhasena Divakara · Haribhadra
Sects
Digambara · Śvētāmbara
Texts
Kalpa Sūtra · Āgama · Tattvartha Sutra · Sanmatti Prakaran
Other
Namokar Mantra · Parasparopagraho_Jivanam · Jain symbol · Jain flag · Timeline · Topics list
Festivals
Mahavir Jayanti · Paryushana · Diwali
Jainism Portal

The Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (Sanskrit for "fivefold superiority") in Jainism are a fivefold hierarchy of religious authorities worthy of veneration:

  1. Arihant: the 24 Tirthankaras or Jinas, the legendary founding figures of Jainism in the present time cycle
  2. Ashiri: the Siddhas or "perfected" saints
  3. Acharya: "teachers"
  4. Upajjhaya: "preceptors"
  5. Munis: monks

The five initials, viz. A+A+A+U+M are taken as forming the Aum syllable.

See also

Jainism Topics
24 Tirthankars of Jainism
Philosophy
 · Anekāntavāda · Syādvāda · Nayavāda · Jain Cosmology · Ahimsa · Karma · Dharma · Nirvana · Kevala Jñāna · Mokṣa · Dravya · Navatattva
By country
Jainism Portal