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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
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
20
Key Figures in Jainism
Left: Mahavira
picture
Top: Mahavira
statue
Right: Mahavira
on
Above: LionThrone
Rock image of 24 Tirthankaras
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 non-
injury
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
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, • Most Jains not monks, nuns
give up possessions
• Pledge to uphold principles of
• Live outdoors, seek shelter only ahimsa, have careers that do not
during rainy months involve harming of animals
• Cover mouths with masks, sweep • Jainism calls for periodic fasting,
ground to avoid accidentally killing especially during festivals, on holy
insects 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
Doctrine of many-sidedness
Ahimsa (Non violence)
78
ANGAS and UPANGAS
11 Angas = main texts
Books of Conduct
Books of Critique
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. White Clad—will wear white clothes (north)
2. Sky Clad—nudist (south)
3. 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 The only objects a
involves the deliberate destruction of life (e.g., Digambara monk is allowed
to carry are a water-pot and
hunting no, farming okay). a fly-whisk of peacock
In the fourth century CE a major split occurred: feathers.
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)
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)
91
SVETAMBARA MONK:
OTHER DIFFERENCES:
Position of women:
Svetambaras: women capable of becoming Tirthankaras
(19th Tirthankara, Malli, was a woman)
Women orders
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 non-
acquisitive 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