Jainism: The Religion

Jainism is an
ascetic religion of
India that teaches
the immortality and
pilgrimage of the
soul, denies the
existence of a
supreme being and
emphasizes the art
of non-violence.
JAINISM



Response to Hinduism and rejection of castes system
“Founder”—Mahavira or the last of 23 founders
Tirthankaras—“ford builders” or “crossing builders”
Tirthankaras—“ford builders” or “crossing builders”
Origins of Jainism



The exact place where Jainism
started is not confirmed, but India is
most commonly referred to as the
place of origin.
Jainism, as a religion, was, at
various times, found all over South
Asia including Sri Lanka and what
are now Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Burma and Afghanistan.
Jainism started out in the sixth
century B.C as a protest against the
overdeveloped rituals of Hinduism.
The actual date is still questioned,
but it is believed that it started no
earlier than 850 B.C (7th-5th
Century B.C).
Jainism
•Jainism is an ancient religion from
India that teaches that the way to
liberation and bliss is to live lives of
harmlessness and renunciation
•The essence of Jainism is concern
for the welfare of every being in the
universe and for the health of the
universe itself
History of Jainism
 Jainism doesn't have a single founder
 Religious truth has been revealed at
different times by a tirthankara, which
means a teacher who “shows the way”.
 Other religions call such a person a 'prophet'.
 As great omniscient teachers,
tirthankaras accomplished moksha and
then teach others how to achieve it.
The founders of Jainism
24 Tirthankaras (“ford maker”): great teachers
 Going back countless thousands of years
before recorded history
 Mahavira (“great hero”) – the 24th and final
Tirthankara – reformer of ancient Jainism


Nataputta Vardhamana
Lived 599 - 527 BCE in northeast India
 30 years as student (never married)
 12 years as ascetic renunciant
 30 years as spiritual teacher (tirthankara)
Tirthankaras
appears in the world to teach the
way to moksha, or liberation.
 not an incarnation of the God.
 great omniscient teachers who lived at various times in
man's cultural history.
 accomplished the highest spiritual goal of existence Each
new tirthankara preaches the same basic Jain philosophy
 24 tirthankaras during this present age
 Svetambara Jains believe that tirthankaras can be men or
women, but Digamber Jains believe that women can't be
tirthankaras

Tirthankaras
Parshva:
four of the five Jain principles
Mahavira
Not the founder of Jainism
world's most recent tirthankara (and will be the last one in this age).
born as Vardhamana in north east India in 599 BCE
a prince, the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala
live the life of an ascetic, or a sadhana
extremely long, arduous periods of fasting and meditation.
attained Kevalnyan, enlightenment
taught the path he had discovered to other seekers.
Mahavira added the principle of chastity
established a community of 14,000 monks and 36,000 nuns before he died.
Jainism: Tirthankaras



In what Jains call the 'present age' there
have been 24 tirthankaras - although
there is little evidence for the existence of
most of these.
A tirthankara appears in the world to teach
the way to moksha, or liberation.
One such tirthankara was Mahavira (599527BCE), regarded as the man who gave
Jainism its present form
Jainism
History
Jainism:
 founded by Mahavira in the sixth century
BCE
 contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism
 practice non-violence or non-injury
Mahavira
Mahavira ca. 599-527 BCE
•Parallels Buddha’s life
•Family wealth vs. poverty
•Joined ascetics
•Became far more extreme
•Ahimsa yields true release
•Ahimsa produces Jina
(release from this life or
conqueror over attachment,
hence the name Jain)
Jainism: Early life of Mahavira



Mahavira was originally born as
Vardhamana in north east India
He was a prince, thus a member of the
kshatriya (warrior) caste
When Prince Vardhamana turned 30, not
long after the death of both his parents, he
left the royal palace to live the life of an
ascetic, (one who renounces all worldly
pleasures and comforts)
BACKGROUND






At age 30, Mahavira renounced all his wealth,
property, wife, family, pleasures
Fasted 2 days without water
Took off clothes except for a cloth around his
shoulder
Tore out hair in 5 handfuls
Vowed to neglect his body and suffer all pain
Eventually gave up his cloth too (gave it to
someone else who needed it)
15


“Neglecting his body,
the venerable ascetic Mahavira meditated on his self,
in blameless lodgings and wandering,
in restraint, kindness, avoidance of sinful influence,
chaste life, in patience, freedom from passion, contentment;
practicing control, circumspectness, religious postures and acts;
walking the path of nirvana and liberation,
which is the fruit of good conduct.
Living thus he with equanimity bore,
endured, sustained, and suffered all calamities
arising from divine powers, men, and animals,
with undisturbed and unafflicted mind,
careful of body, speech, and mind.”
(Acharanga Sutra)
16
Mahavira as an ascetic



He spent twelve and a half years
subjecting himself to extremely long,
arduous periods of fasting and
meditation- and he attained enlightenment
(perfect absolute knowledge)
Therefore was later called Mahavira (the
name is from maha, great, and vira, hero)
He had become a jina- spiritual conqueror
Mahavira as teacher



From that day forward Mahavira taught the
path he had discovered to other seekers
After a final period of intensive fasting he
attained nirvana (absolute bliss), and the
Moksha (release from samsara)
Mahavira added the principle of chastity to
make the Five Jain principles (no violence, no
lying, no stealing, no possessions)
PARSVA
-
23rd Tirthankara
9th C, BCE
MAHAVIRA AND PARSVA

Once Mahavira recognized as Tirthankara,
probably inherited Parsva’s followers
20
Key Figures in Jainism
Above:
Rock image of 24 Tirthankaras
Left: Mahavira
picture
Top: Mahavira
statue
Right: Mahavira
on
LionThrone
Key Figures of Jainism





Vardhamana Mahavira is the most important figure in Jainism
as he was the last in line of the Tirthankaras.
He was born in 599 B.C. and died in 527 B.C. His birthplace
was Kundalpur, India.
His life and teachings were dedicated to the art of ahimsa or
non-violence, which is the central belief of Jainism.
He grew up in India where Hinduism was the dominant religion.
He accepted the aspects of Hinduism, but felt that some
changes needed to be made.
It was he who built up the Jain Church and laid such a firm
foundation for it that it has existed almost unchanged for more than
twenty-five centuries.
Jainism
Jainism




There are about 4 million Jains today, most of
them “lay people”
Historians consider Jainism to have been
founded by Mahavira (599-527 BCE) as a
reaction to the conservative Brahminism of the
6th-century BCE
In general, they do NOT accept the Hindu
Scriptures or rituals, but they do share a belief in
the transmigration of souls
The most obvious characteristic of them is their
devotion to the principle of ahimsa, or noninjury


monks wear a veil
even lay people forbidden to drink after sunset
Jainism (cont.)






Jains are followers of the Jinas, or
“tirthankaras” (the ford-makers, who reveal
the path to moksha)
They believe 24 tirthankaras appear in every
half cycle
Mahavira is the 24th tirthankara in this cycle
A contemporary of Buddha, Mahavira
renounced the world at the age of 30, and
after 12 years as a wandering ascetic
achieved enlightenment
He then converted 12 disciples who
structure his teachings into the Jain
Scriptures
He died in meditation and became a
liberated soul
What is Jainism?







At least 2500+ years old
Followed by 3 - 4 million people mostly in India
Life affirming but world-denying
Seeks to release the soul from the round of
rebirth, to liberate spirit from matter
Ahimsa – non-violence – is the hallmark of this
spiritual discipline
No creator god
Spiritual life is primarily moral rather than
ritualistic
Living
What is Jainism?

Jains are followers of JINA, the conqueror of inner
enemies.

These inner enemies (Kashay) are anger(Krodh),
greed(lobh), ego(man) and deceit(maya).

These arise out of attachment(rag): leading to greed
and pride and aversion(dvesh): leading to deceit and
anger.

Jainism is a religion of self-help: with out any
outside agency - even god coming to the rescue of
the soul. The soul is its own destroyer or liberator.




Jainism:
Key
Beliefs
Ahimsa - The central Jain belief is an agreement to avoid physical
violence and conduct that can be mentally and emotionally
damaging to oneself or others. It also involves commitment to all life
forms on earth and not engaging in practices which may bring harm.
Karma – the belief that for every action, there is a consequence.
Reincarnation – One’s soul that is reborn into different bodies over
the course of many lives.
Proper Conduct - Jains are encouraged to make a vow to conduct
themselves according to the following principles:
1) Non-violence (ahimsa)
2) Truthfulness
3) Non- Stealing
4) Celibacy
5) Non-possession
Jainism: Key Beliefs



Moksha - Results in the elimination of the effects of karma in
one’s life (achieved through meditation)
Atomism - Jains believe that every living thing on the planet
possesses a soul or “Jiva”. They also believe that people are
bound to act more compassionately if they acknowledge that
everything is composed of a spirit or soul.
No absolutes - No perspective of any person is wrong,
despite the fact that different perspectives have different
effects on the specific situation.
TEACHINGS OF JAINISM




Reincarnation—until one finally breaks the cycle
Karma is the glue that sticks you to life
Reduce involvement and one reduces karma
Dualism:
Jiva=soul=good, pure, eternal
Ajiva=matter=bad, impure, temporal



Asceticism cleanses the soul of the karma
Salvation comes from ones work at release
God, prayers, rituals, etc. aren’t necessary







Major
Tenets
Everything is eternal; there is no all-
powerful “God” that has created the
world.
When a living being dies, it is
reincarnated.
All living beings have souls.
The 3 gems.
Reverence for the deities (Siddhas, Jinas,
and the 24 Tirthankaras).
Vegetarianism, or Fruitarianism.
The great vows, the Mahavrats.
Jain Beliefs:
Karma & Reincarnation
Karma: impurity of the soul that keeps the
soul bound to the cycle of rebirth into
matter
 Karma is built-up through actions in this
world: thoughts, words, deeds, attitudes
 Reduce and eliminate karma so as to
achieve moksha (nirvana)– release of the
soul from the cycles of rebirth
How are we to do this?…

Reincarnation
• As soon as a person (or any living being) dies, his or
her soul is immediately reborn in another life form.
• If one’s spirituality is such that it should require
punishment, a person may be required to spend time
in one of seven hells.
• Unlike most views of hell, each stage of hell becomes
increasingly colder. One’s stay in hell is not eternal;
once the punishment is sufficient, a person’s soul will
be reborn into another life form.
• If people can escape all karma (good and bad), they
will be reborn as a Siddhas, or liberated souls, in the
highest level of heaven, where they will be eternally
happy and separate from the world.
Karma



Karma is the natural moral law of the universe, in which
every good or bad action has a corresponding effect on
the person doing that action.
According to Jainism there are 2 types of Karma . Ghati
(destructive) and Aghati (non-destructive), each
containing several sub-categories.
The goal of Jainism is to liberate one’s soul, to become
a Jina (spiritual victor). To become a Jina, one must
escape Karma by leading an ascetic and intrinsically
pure life.
Jain Beliefs: Karma



Karma is the mechanism that determines
the quality of life
The happiness during a being's present
life is the result of the moral quality of
the actions of the being in its previous life
A soul can only achieve liberation by
getting rid of all the karma attached to it
Jain Beliefs: Karma

The Jain idea of karma is much more
elaborate and mechanistic than that found
in some other Indian religions

Karma is a physical substance- think
floating dust which sticks to the soul, or as
types of atomic particle which are attracted
to the soul as a result of our actions,
words and thoughts
Jain Beliefs: Karma



On their own, karma particles have no effect
but when they stick to a soul they affect the
life of that soul
We attract karma particles when we do or
think or say things, if we kill something,
when we tell a lie, when we steal and so on
The accumulation of karma causes us to have
bad thoughts and actions, these bad actions
attract more karma, and so on.
Avoiding and Removing Karma


Karma can be avoided in two ways
1. By behaving well - so no karma is attracted
2. By having the right mental state - so that
even if an action attracts karma, the correct
mental attitude of the being means that karma
either doesn't stick to that soul
The karma that has built up on the soul can be
removed by living life according to the Jain
vows.
What is Jain Activity?
Any activity of body, Speech or Mind that helps us
1. Develop disinterest in satisfying the desires
of our five senses (control over passions)
2. Eliminate anger, ego, deceit, greed
(Kashay) within our selves
3. Develop a vision to look for only good in
others and completely ignore bad in others.
-Acharya Haribhadrasuriji (700770AD)
in ‘Darshanshastra’
Key Practices and Rituals




Meditation (samayika) - the process of eliminating selfcentered thinking and becoming united with the spirit that
governs the universe
Mantras - the Five Homages (panka namaskarais) are recited
on a daily basis, usually in the morning; another mantra called
ahimsa vikas, helps Jains to pursue a life without violence.
Worship - takes place at stone temples or at wooden shrines
near the house which resemble the temple itself.
Fasting - occurs at mostly festivals and holy days such as
Paryushana and Mauna Agyaras
Meditations & Mantras


Meditation (samayika)
is an integral part of
Jainism. During
meditation and
worship, Jains often
recite mantras or
prayers.
The most fundamental
of the Jain mantras is
the Navkar Mantra.
The Navkar Mantra









Namo Arihantanum: I bow down to Arihanta
Namo Siddhanam: I bow down to Siddha
Namo Ayariyanam: I bow down to Acharya
Namo Uvajjhayanam: I bow down to Upadhyaya
Namo Loe Savva-sahunam: I bow down to Sadhu &
Sadhvi.
Eso Panch Namokaro: These five bowing downs,
Savva-pavappanasano: Destroy all the sins,
Manglanach Savvesim: Amongst all that is
auspicious,
Padhamam Havei Mangalam: This Navkar Mantra is
the foremost.
Key Practices and Rituals





Small brooms are carried to sweep insects away from their path
Jain nuns and monks do not accept food that is not cooked by
themselves, they do not physically touch people of the opposite sex,
and they wear simple white clothes or even nothing at all.
A disciplined life is expected from all believers of Jainism, not only
the monks or the nuns
Sacred Rituals - performed at the temple
These are some of the rituals:
Puja
Samayik
Namokar Mantra
Birth



There are a few simple ritual that are performed
after the birth of a child
Priyodhbhav Sanskar: ten days of cleansing, during
which no rituals are performed, but mantras may
be chanted by the priests and offerings received for
the child at a temple.
Namkaranan Sanskar: the ritual of naming the child,
performed on the 11th, 13th, or 29th after birth. The
name for a boy is selected from the 1008
Jinasahasranam, and for girls chosen from the names
of the woman in the Puranas.
Rites of Passage/Puberty
Rites



The rites of passage/puberty rites
(concerning the laity) that Jains practice
are not strictly practices of Jainism.
Rather they are often the local Hindu
customs.
These customs are acceptable as long as
the do not violate the ethics of Jainism.
Baptism



The Jains do not practice baptism.
However, they do have rules that must
be followed when using water.
Water should be filtered before use to
prevent harm to living creatures that
may be in the water
Some stricter (more spiritual) Jains do
not bathe and only use water as
necessary
Marriage Rituals


Marriage is considered a
social contract, not a
religious practice. The
wedding ceremony may be
simple or very elaborate.
The rituals performed
around the time of
marriage vary from one
community to another, but
are numerous and may
include some of the
following:
Marriage Rituals
Pre-Wedding Vagdana: Parents declare intended marriage
Laghana Lekhan: marriage negotiation finalized
Sagai and Lagna Patrika Vachan: engagement
ceremonies/rituals
Matruka and Kulkar Sthapan: gods and goddesses are invoked
to bless the couple
 Wedding Ceremony –
Ghudhchadi: groom’s ritual on the day before the wedding
Vara Ghoda: the groom’s procession to the wedding
Torana Vidhi: welcoming ceremony at the wedding
Paraspara Mukh Avalokana: bride and groom look at each other









Marriage Rituals









Hasta Melap: joining ceremony, priest’s words to the couple
Toran Pratishtha: the goddess Lakshmi is honored
Vedi Pratishtha: the gods of Kshetras are honored
Agni Sthapan: sacred fire ritual; offerings to the fire god
Abisheka: couple’s heads are anointed with water
Gotrachar: lineages of the couple are pronounced
Granthi Bandhan: ceremonial tying of the couple together
Agni Pradakshina: the couple circles the sacred fire four times
while reciting a different mantra each time around
Kanyadaan: before the last stage of Agni Pradakshina, the
father presents the bride to the groom
Marriage Rituals



Vakshepa: “Lord Adinath was married with this ceremony…”
Second Abisheka: priest wishes the couple well
Kar-mochan: couple are released, ceremony is ended
Post Wedding –
Ashirvada: the elders bless the couple
Reception: wedding feast
Sva Graha Aagamana: bride goes to her new home.
Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana: alms are given at a Jain temple in
thankfulness to the gods





Death Rites






When a person dies, he or she is cremated as soon
as possible.
The body is placed on a bier and taken to a place
where it can be burned without harming any living
beings.
The body is taken from the bier and covered with
wood. The body is covered with ghee, camphor, and
sandalwood powder. The last rites are performed by
the son of the deceased.
The son circles the pyre 3 times while sprinkling
water on the body. While chanting the Namokar
Mantra, he lights the pyre.
After a while, milk is poured over the scorched area
and the remains are collected in bags.
The remains are placed in hole and sprinkled with
salt. The hole is covered and the rituals are over.
Jainism
New Religion
• 500 BC, group of Hindus broke away, founded new religion called Jainism
• Led by teacher Mahavira, Jains thought most Hindus put too much emphasis
on ritual
Ritual Unnecessary
• Jains thought ritual unnecessary
• People could achieve moksha by giving up worldly things, carefully
controlling actions
Nonviolence
• Central to Jain teaching, idea of ahimsa, nonviolence
• Most Hindus also practiced ahimsa, but not to same extent
• Jains carefully avoid harming living creatures, are usually vegetarians
Other Traits
• Jains promise to tell only truth
• Avoid stealing
• Strive to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, gossip from lives
• These things can prevent person from achieving moksha
Lifestyle
Principles
• Most devout become monks, nuns,
give up possessions
• Most Jains not monks, nuns
• Live outdoors, seek shelter only
during rainy months
• Pledge to uphold principles of
ahimsa, have careers that do not
involve harming of animals
• Cover mouths with masks, sweep
ground to avoid accidentally killing
insects
• Jainism calls for periodic fasting,
especially during festivals, on holy
days; limiting worldly possessions
Jain Beliefs: Spiritual Beings




Jina: (conqueror) an enlightened being who has
conquered material existence and released the
soul from the round of rebirth
Tirthankara: a jina who is a great spiritual
teacher
Siddha: a liberated soul
The goal of Jainism: to become a Jina, thus
freeing one’s soul from the material realm
 we can all become “gods” but these gods do
not intervene or respond to petitionary prayer
Jain Beliefs: Jiva & Ajiva



Jiva = life-giving spirit (soul)
Ajiva = inert/non-living matter
All living beings contain soul and are
considered Jiva (soul trapped in matter):
 Humans
 Animals
 Plants
 Microscopic life-forms trapped in matter
(water beings, rock beings, fire beings, air
beings)
Jain practices:
Spiritual Discipline

Ahimsa: non-violence to any and all life
forms. Intent to do no harm. Strict vegans
(avoid all meat and animal products, including
milk, eggs, fish and even avoid root vegetables).



Aparigraha: non-attachment
Anekantwad: non-hatred
Asceticism: to live a monastic life,
detached from this world and society – a
life of poverty and chastity
Unique Teachings of Jainism
• God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer
of the Universe
• Every living being has a potential to
become God
• Path of liberation is to follow rational
perception, rational Knowledge and rational
conduct
• Conquer your desire by your own effort to
attain liberation
Unique Teachings of Jainism
• Proper knowledge of universal substances
and fundamental Tattvas are essential for
rational perception, knowledge and conduct
• Self purification, penance, austerity and
meditation are essential for rational conduct
Unique Teachings of Jainism
Universal love (Ahimsa)
Anekantvad (Non absolutism)
Aparigraha (Non-attachment)
Jain hand is the emblem of
the Jainism, which
symbolizes Ahimsa,
nonviolence, the wheel in
the center is the wheel of
Samsara, the word in the
center of the wheel reads
“stop.”
Other Jain Concepts
Ahimsa- Non violence
 Jains must do their best to avoid any
intentional hurt to living things
 Jains must be vegetarians
 If a Jain's work unavoidably causes harm (e.g.
farming) they should try to minimize the
harm
Doctrine of many-sidedness
Ahimsa (Non violence)
• Ahimsa is disciplined behavior towards
every living being - Dashvaikalika Sutra
(6/9)
• Absence of violence of any sort towards all
beings at all times is Ahimsa. - Yogasutra
• In its absolute definition, ‘Ahimsa is the
absence of evil thoughts, feelings or attitude’
Ahimsa (Non violence)
• Ahimsa is not to be practised at the physical
level only but at a mental one as well.
• In other words, it is stated that there should
be no Himsa by ‘ Man ‘ (mind), ‘Vachan’
(speech), or ‘Kaya” (body).
• Even hurting feelings is himsa.
Vegetarians


Because of Ahisma, Jains do not believe in harming
living beings, which all have souls. This means that
they do not eat meat, and many of them do not eat
vegetables either.
The strictest of the Jains eat only fruits, nuts, and
milk, which are acceptable because they are the
byproducts of livings beings, not the actual beings
themselves.
Anekantvad ( Nonabsolutism)
 Expression of Truth (Existent) is Relative or Nonabsolute
 Truth (Existent) is expressed in many ways
 One cannot make definite statement about Truth or
Existent, each statement is true in its own limited
sense
 To understand the nature of Existent, one requires
the vision of seeing an entity from all direction
which is Anekantvad
Fundamental Beliefs




The soul exists in contamination with karmic
matter and it longs to be purified
Living beings differ due to the varying
density and types of karmic matter
The karmic bondage leads the soul through
the states of existences (cycles)
Karmic fusion is due to our ignorence,
nonrestraint, carelessness, passions and
activities
Fundamental Beliefs


Violence to oneself and others results in the
formation of the heaviest new karmic matter,
whereas helping others with positive
nonviolence results into the lightest new
karmic matter
Austerity forms the karmic shield against
new karmons as well as setting the decaying
process in the old karmic matter
Symbols
 symbol of the seventh Tirthankara. In
the Svetambar Jain tradition, it is also
one of the symbols of the ashramangalas (Eight Auspicious Signs).
 a wheel on the palm of a hand,
symbolizing Ahimsa (non-violence).
 Triratna signify the three jewels of
Jainism
The Sign of Jainism
 This is the sign of Jainism. Each
part of the sign symbolizes an
important principle or belief of
Jainism.
 This symbol was adopted by all
the sects of Jainism in honor of
the 2500th anniversary of Lord
Mahavira’s spiritual liberation.
Symbol of Jainism






Swastika and the Open Pal
The outline of this picture represents the
universe in the Jain description. It is
supposed to resemble a person standing on
his feet with his feet apart, and the arms are
rested on the hips.
The swastika represents the soul in which it
can be reborn and reincarnated into during
the time it is in the universe.
There are three dots above the swastika.
They represent Right Faith, Right
Knowledge, and Right Conduct. The three
dots are the three jewels of Jain philosophy
in which they believe liberation can be
found.
The half moon is where the liberated soul is
being kept, and the dot inside of it is the
liberated pure soul.
The hand below the swastika is a gesture of
blessing and protection.
Inside the hand, there is a wheel of 24
spokes, and this represents Jinas. In the
middle of the wheel, a word is inscribed
which says: “ahimsa”
How to Become a Jain


Jainism is a distinctly Indian religion,
although anyone who is willing to meet
their strict requirements can become a
Jain.
The most fundamental belief of Jainism is
Ahisma, complete non-violence toward all
living beings. No other religion takes the
principle of non-violence to the extent
that the Jains do.
Requirements
All Jains must:





Seek peace with their surroundings and be as nonviolent as possible, Ahisma.
Be truthful in everything, Satya.
Deal honestly with people, they must not steal,
Asteya.
Practice the 3 Gems:
Right faith, right conduct, right knowledge. The
most important of these is faith, after it is obtained
the others will follow.
FIVE VOWS OF JAINISM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ahimsa
Speak the truth
Don’t steal
Celibacy
Renounce attachments
The Five Principles (Vows):
Non-violence (Ahimsa):
complete avoidance of harm
All living beings are equal
Truthfulness (Satya):
to always speak the truth in a harmless manner
Non-stealing (Asteya):
this also includes avoidance of greed and exploitation
Chastity (Brahmacharya):
monogamy and faithfulness are important
Detachment from material things (Aparigraha):
to detach from people, places, and material things.
Monks and Nuns
• Monks and nuns must
base their lives on
mahavrats, or the
“great vows”. These
include:
• Not injuring any life
forms, Ahisma
• Truthfulness, Satya
• Not stealing, Asteya
• Celibacy,
Brahmachanga
• Not accepting personal
possessions,
Aparigraha
Five Monastic Vows:





Ahimsa: non-violence (do not harm others)
Satya: truth (do not lie)
Achaurya: non-stealing
Brahmacharya: celibacy & chastity
Aparigraha: non-attachment/nonownership (poverty)
Literature
Agamas
based on Mahavira teachings.
orally compiled by his disciples into various
Sutras (texts)
orally passed on from teachers (acaryas or
gurus) to the disciples for several centuries.
The scholars date the composition of Jain
agamas at around 6th to 3rd century BCE.
JAIN SCRIPTURES

SIDDHANTA – 45 volumes

Composed and compiled during 1000 years
between death of Mahavira and Valabhi
Council in 5th C, CE

Vernacular language vs. Sanskrit
78
ANGAS and UPANGAS





11 Angas = main texts
Books of Conduct
Books of Critique
12 Upangas = secondary limbs
Narratives that pass on teachings for lay
followers
79
OTHER IMPORTANT
WRITINGS:




Biographies of Tirthankaras (Kalpa Sutra)
Numerous commentaries and philosophical
writings
Astronomy, study of logic, psychology
Devotional poetry, epics and legends
80
Communion with the Gods & Holy
Ones


The Jains commune with their deities
by worshiping in temples, meditating,
and reciting mantras.
The Jains worship idols of Jinas, or
“Spiritual Victors”. The most
important of these Jinas are the
Tirthankaras, or “Ford-Makers”, the 24
founders of Jainism.
Worship of the Jinas
The Jains worship publicly in stone temples.
They worship by meditating, chanting mantras,
and by gazing at and anointing the 24 images of
the Tirthankaras, the “Ford Makers”.
They also pay homage to all Jinas, or “spiritual
victors”.
Holidays
Mahavira Jayanti
Mar 28
The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar and the
"founder" of modern Jainism
Paryushana
Sep 5
The most important Jain festival, it consists of
eight (Swetambara) or ten (Digambara) days of
intensive fasting and repentance. A time of reflection.
Diwali
Nov 5
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from
South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains
and Sikhs.
JAIN SECTS
1.
2.
3.
White Clad—will wear white clothes (north)
Sky Clad—nudist (south)
Sub-group of the White Clads—reject temples
Jain Monastics: Two major sects

Digambara (“sky clad”)
 Wear no clothes
 Live alone or in small
groups in the forests
 Admit only men
DIGAMBARA MONK:
Women
religion of religious equality, devoted to recognising
the rights of all living creatures
The sectarian divide

The Difambara Jain sect believes that women cannot achieve
liberation without being reborn as men first. The Svetambara sect
disagrees.
Nakedness

nakedness is an essential element of the road to liberation.

Mahavira himself, set an example of total nudity that Digambaras
believe monks should follow.

This ban on female nakedness is partly intended to protect both men
and women:




cause men to experience sexual
feel ashamed of being naked.
prevent the disruptive consequences of allowing women to walk
around naked.
Women
Ahimsa and women
Digambaras also believe that women are inherently
himsic (harmful).
menstrual blood kills micro-organisms living in the
female body.
female body is less non-violent than a male body
Impurity
menstrual blood is a sign of impurity.
Attachment
nature is to care for children and other dependants
Jainism Monastic: Two Sects



Jain monks commit to the Great Vows:

non-injury (ahisma)

truth-speaking (satya)

sexual abstinence (brahmacharya)

non-stealing (asteya)

detachment from persons, places, and
things (aparigraha)
Lay people take the “lesser vows” which try to
apply the great vows to more “normal” modes of
living: e.g., strict vegetarianism, no work that
involves the deliberate destruction of life (e.g.,
hunting no, farming okay).
In the fourth century CE a major split occurred:

Digambaras: all possessions, including
clothing are hindrance to liberation

Shvetambaras: detachment is in the mind
(and not wearing clothes can also cause
injury; e.g., if you light a fire to stay warm)
The only objects a
Digambara monk is allowed
to carry are a water-pot and
a fly-whisk of peacock
feathers.
Jain Monastics: Two major sects

Svetambara (“white clad”)
 Wear white robes
 Live in community
 Admit both men and
women
 Some wear face masks
to protect minute life
forms from harm
SCHISMS:

Svetambaras (white clad)

Protest that external signs (i.e., clothing)
are insignificant

View Mahavira’s decision as an option but
not a requirement
91
SVETAMBARA MONK:
OTHER DIFFERENCES:




Position of women:
Svetambaras: women capable of becoming Tirthankaras
(19th Tirthankara, Malli, was a woman)
Women orders

Digambaras: women must first be reborn as men
No women orders

Also, how many of 45 ANGAS = scripture

93
SVETAMBARA NUN:
Other Jain Concepts
Strict Jains sects went so far as to practice
ascetic nudity (this was a kind of asceticism–
physical suffering so one could learn to
overcome it); they would not eat anything still
attached to a plant; only seeds and fruits that
had fallen off might be eaten.
Jains might sweep in front of them as they
walked so as not to step on bugs
White Clad monks
Lay Jainism (non-monastic)


Householders: marry and have children
A simple life but not ascetic (may take
temporary monastic vows)



Modified vows (five plus seven more) to
guide life in this world
Maintain Vegan diet
Do not expect to achieve moksha in this
life (it takes full asceticism and monastic life to
hope to become a Jina)
Lay Jainism: religious practices

Make pilgrimages to sacred sites (related to the
lives of the Tirthankaras)



Attend temples
Revere the Tirthankaras
Observe holy days:



Mahavir Jayanti (April; commemorating the birth
of Mahavira)
Paryushana Parva (Aug. – Sept.; a festival of
fasting and forgiveness)
Mahavir Nirvan (Diwali) (Oct. – Nov.;
commemorates the liberation [death] of Mahavira)
Political Influence
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
 a Jain
 some of his ideas on politics come from
Jainism (from the 5 principles)
 pioneered satyagraha (truthfulness).
 defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience,
a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa or total nonviolence.
 helped India to gain independence
 inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the
world.
Economic Influence





set a limit to one’s own needs and whatever surplus
one may accumulate beyond these needs should be
donated to charities.
keeps in check the concentration of wealth and paves
the way for its wide and more even distribution.
the growing gulf between the rich and the poor can be
peacefully bridged.
the fair distribution of wealth is essential.
business dealings must be conducted in the nonacquisitive spirit of aparigraha.
Is Jainism Growing?



There are an estimated 4 million Jains in the
world.
Jainism is not a fast growing religion,
although there has been a small increase in
adherents in the U. S. and U. K. in the last
40 years.
Jains do not actively seek to convert others
to Jainism, rather they are peaceful and
accepting towards all peoples and
religions.
Jainism in the 21st Century






As of early 21st century, there are 4.5 million followers.
Most Jains live in India, with smaller populations in Canada,
United Kingdom, and the United States.
Jainism has been an influence for the Indian culture for over 2500
years and has contributed to Indian philosophy and logic, art and
architecture, mathematics, astronomy and astrology, and literature.
Jainism’s culture possibly influenced the religion of Buddhism
today.
There is little question that Jainism influenced the great Hindu
Mohandas Gandhi.
Even though it isn’t well known, Jainism has affected spiritual
development of the world.
Jainism
Palitana, Gujarat
JAISSALMERE TEMPLE
JAISSALMERE: JAIN IMAGES
JAISSALMERE: JAIN TEMPLE 2
JAISSALMERE TEMPLE RELIEF
Similarities with Buddhism









Tolerant other religions
Karma
India
Around the same time
Same backgound story for founder or prophet
Social equality
Nirvana
Liberation
Non-violence
Jainism on the Web:


Jainworld.com: http://www.jainworld.com/
Jainism Literature Center (from Harvard University’s
“Pluralism Project”):



http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~pluralsm/affiliates/jainism/
Fundamentals of Jainism:
http://www.angelfire.com/co/jainism/
Jainism4u.com: http://www.marwaris.com/jain4u.htm
Jainism Heritage Centres, “your guide to Jain heritage
centres across the globe”:
http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/index/jainism.htm