Essay on Jainism
Part 1:
2.) Founders: Jainism was popularized and spread by the 24th Tirthankara, Mahavira, whose life
and enlightenment he shared in order to help teach people of the path to moksha. He was not the
first of these leaders however, as both the Digambaras and the Shvetambaras “agree there were
twenty-three Tirthankaras prior to the twenty-fourth, Mahavira.” (pg 153)
3.) Sacred Scriptures: “Collectively, the canon is known as the Agamas, written in
Ardhamagad” (p. 155). The Agamas, divided into Purva, Anga, and Angabahya, were the
teachings of Mahavira and passed on by his followers, containing his wisdom as passed on by his
followers. The most ancient, the Purvas, no longer exist, and the Angas appear to have a variety
of different authors.
4.) Religious Concepts: “Karma is the glue that binds humans to the cycle of rebirth” (p. 158).
Jains see all humans as bound to an Earthly life, and that they must cleanse themselves of karma
by being selfless and detaching from selfish desires. This involves learning deeply about how
karma operates in lives and affects souls, and shedding this binding force in order to transcend
this realm.
5.) Deity/Deities: While the Jains do not believe in a creator god like other religions, they do
believe that “their doctrines originate from an omniscient and omnipotent being.” (pg 156) While
they do not deny some validity in other philosophies, their beliefs are rooted in the unknowable
and unperceived.
6.) Role of Deity/Deities: It is believed once-human conquerors have attained enlightenment and
now pass on wisdom for those who come after on the Earthly plain. This is comparable to
Mahajira, who was cited “sending forth only a divine sound” (pg 155) that was then translated
into the teaching and scriptures of Jainism.
7.) Clergy: The holy efforts of Tirthankara are continued to this day, with monks and holy men
who go as far as to wear masks “to prevent breathing in insects,” (pg 159), or who make sure that
“Paths are swept before taking a step, to avoid killing an insect.” (pg 159) This is done due to
ahimsa, the belief that all life is precious and should be preserved.
8.) Rituals: Rituals of worship and thanks to the Absolute are still done to this day such as
“Erecting a Jina image and caring for it by bathing it is one acceptable demonstration.” (pg 160)
This is meant to pay respects to those who have found higher existence.
9.) Prayers: “Salvation is through a person’s own effort; the only reward promised in worship is
focusing the mind on release” (p. 158). Worship in Jainism focuses on self-discipline and hard
work, rather than petitions for help or doing deeds with promise of reward. Prayer and reflection
is inward-looking and religious devotion is a way to ready oneself for liberation through clarity
and detachment.
10.) Places of Worship: “Although Jainism has no creator god, it does have temples for
worshipers” (p. 160). Temples are sacred spaces for meditation and dedication to the
Tirthankaras, enlightened spiritual teachers who have achieved release from the cycle of Earthly
life. Their temples evoke a sense of reverence, even without a personal creator deity at the center
of their existence.
12.) Ethical Codes: “[A]n unchanging law… No living things should be injured or slain” (p.
158). Nonviolence is known as the central ethical standard in Jainism, and the one for which they
are most well-known. Jains have respect for all life and believe in exercising restraint in thought,
word, and action due to the interconnectedness of all life.
13.) Afterlife Rewards and Punishments: Those who believe in Jainism “think that souls
journey through infinite reincarnations in lower forms as well as human,” (pg 158) which can be
seen as very similar to other religions such as Buddhism or Hinduism where karma must be
worked through in an Earthly life before one can transcend. It is even said that they believe all
acts of violence on anything living are enacted back upon someone after they have passed.
Part 2:
My opinions on Jainism are varied. On one hand, I am predisposed to believe that their structure
and beliefs, being so rooted in the past, would make them harmful in the present. This is seen in
the way that they treat women, the general lack of living outside of the religion, and lack of
evolving thoughts throughout the years. However, I see that some of them are willing to concede
factors that allow more people to enjoy their philosophies, like how the liberal side of Jains
believed that women too, can have a full life and freedom from the earthly plane. Jainism is one
of the most peaceful and at the base beneficial religions that is active in the world, specifically
due to its reverence for all life and the immense push for preservation of it. The morals that jism
preaches are very pure and mutually beneficial to everyone involved.