Jainism and Sikhism Chapter 5

Jainism Tirthankaras Ford Finders – Stream Crossers Revered but not worshiped Parshva – the first Born before the Buddha in time of Vedas Mahavira – the last Focus of current belief and practices Lived around same time as the Buddha

Jainism Mahavira 24th and Last Tirthankara (599 BCE) Father was 2nd caste Mother dreamed of his greatness Renounced the world around age 30 Took 12 years to reach Nirvana Became a Jina (conquerer) Lives in ishatpragbhara beyond life and death

Digambaras Sky Clad – nudity (for men only) “Conservative” Renounce the world Mahavira was unmarried Mahavira (Jina) Omniscient trance Under a white umbrella Lotus position Making a divine sound

Shvetambaras White clad Women included Liberal Mahavira Born after embryo transfer from Brahmins Ate sparingly and taught not to harm life Believed he was married with a child Continued to teach for 30 years and gain followers

Jain Scriptures (Agamas) Translations of the heavenly sounds of Mahavira Purvas No longer exist but thought to go back to the First Tirthankara (Parshva) Angas Originate with 24th Tirthankara (Mahavira) Acaranga Life and basic teachings of Mahavira Rules for monks and nuns Injury to animals is a sin Laws of Karma Angabahya

Jainism Loka Universe where sentient beings are reborn Triloka Ishatpragbhara – where liberated souls live Middle World – where humans live Hells

Jainism Jiva Soul, eternal consciousness, purity Ajiva (nonjiva) bound to Jiva by Karma which is material

Jainism Important to Jains Ahimsa - Non violence toward all living things Self-purification Chastity Poverty Identification with all living beings Truthfulness Not Stealing Non-attachment Death by fasting (sallekhana) Karma – comes with selfish desires

Jainism Difference from Hinduism Difference from Buddhism Jains do not follow Vedas Jains do not worship multiple Hindu deities Karma is a physical substance Difference from Buddhism Jiva (soul) is reincarnated until Moksha is achieved Bodily denial of food and clothing Non attachment practiced by fasting (Aparigraph) Release only comes after commitment to faith

Jainism Worship Approach those who reached Jina as if still living Seeking the heavenly sound of inspiration Must wash and enter temple barefooted-purity rituals Pilgrimages Fasting Alms

Jainism Absolute and World View No creator and no beginning to the universe Basic doctrines are absolute Everything else is relative Salvation is through one’s own effort All life is sacred Causing pain snares humans in suffering Soul is superior to the physical world Watch out for bugs

Sikhism 24 million Sikhs in the world 21 million in India, most in Punjab ¼ million in the United States Monotheistic

Sikhism

Sikhism Nanak From Punjab 1469 CE Rejected Hindu coming of age ritual (upanayana) Vision of God followed spiritual crisis at age 30 Appointed by God as Supreme Guru Denied Qu’ran and the Vedas Became wandering evangelist in India Disciples called Sikhs

Sikhism Nanak’s Teachings God is the original Guru Humans souls want communion with God Loving self >God causes suffering God lives in human hearts 5 Stages of progress Piety Knowledge Humility Spirit Truth

Sikhism Gobind (1666-1708) 10th and last Guru following Nanak Khalsa (lions) were his first 5 followers and models Uncut hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, sword Baptized in water Worship the One God Bathe in cold water each dawn and pray No tobacco or alcohol No molestation of Muslim women No Caste

Sikhism Adi Granth Dastar Kirpan Scriptures Considered the “perpetual guru” Central text for devotion and ritual Dastar Turban worn by Sikh men Towering fortress Kirpan Ceremonial sword

Sikhism Worship in Gudwara Shoes removed Heads covered Adi Granth (scripture) central Eat from common source of offered sweets Bhais – spiritual brothers in white

The Absolute for Sikhism God is personally present in the human heart God and the way to God are made known in the Word Most humans love possessions more than God Salvation through baptism, meditation, charity, and hard work Mystical union of soul with God is ultimate goal Sikhs not evangelical Desire Punjab to be their own state Sikhs will fight to defend but are not aggressive