By Natalie Tucker, Rayna Basa, Ben Kizziar, and Sydnee Kizziar Jainism By Natalie Tucker, Rayna Basa, Ben Kizziar, and Sydnee Kizziar

Religious Symbol Ahimsa Hand symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa (non-violence). The word in the middle means “Ahimsa”. The hand represents fearlessness. The wheel represents the “dharmacakra”, to stop the reincarnation cycle through the pursuit of truth. The 24 spokes symbolize the 24 Tirthankars, people who have achieved enlightenment. The Jain flag: First mentioned in a holy text written in 5th century B.C. Red represents Siddha (souls that attain salvation) and truth. Yellow represents Acharya (Head of Jain Sect). White represents Arihants (souls who have reached state of non-attachment towards worldly things). It also denotes peace. Green represents Upajjhaya (those who teach scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis). It also signifies abstinence. Dark Blue (or Black) represents Sadhus and Sadhvis (Monks & Nuns). The swastika in the center of the flag represents the four states of existence of life. The three dots above the swastika represent the Ratnatraya or "three jewels" of Jainism: Samyak darshan "Right Faith", Samyak Gyan "Right Knowledge", and Samyak Charitra "Right Conduct". 

Important Info Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that started in Eastern India during 550 B.C. Tirthankaras embodied and taught the religion to others. The 24th tirthankara was Mahavira, who gave Jainism its present-day form. Jainism focuses on non-violence and religious asceticism. Jains strongly believe in karma and that the purpose of life is to gain liberation from reincarnation. Jains believe that the soul is eternal and they practice their beliefs in temples with their spiritual leaders being monks or nuns. They strongly believe to not cause any harm to any living being. Jainism’s main language is Sanskrit and there are about 4 million followers.

Statue of Mahavira The Ahimsa Hand Jain Temple in India

Main Ideas The Three Jewels: Right Belief, Right Judgment, and Right Conduct Karma: There are 8 types of karma- delusory, knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, obstructing, feeling-producing, physique- determining, life span-determining, and status determining. You must be free from all your karma eventually. Souls: Your soul is not perfect but it must eventually be liberated Reincarnation: Your soul (aka jiva) will move on to the next person immediately after you die. It can even not be human or animal.

But it is mainly practiced in Asia (India). Spread of Jainism Jainism is mainly practiced throughout Israel, Europe, and some parts of North and South America. But it is mainly practiced in Asia (India).

Art Inspiration Jainism art is inspired by the Jain texts. Illustrations were inscribed on palm leaves until the introduction of paper in the 12th century.

Timeline of Important Events 5th cent. BCE Life of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. 3rd cent. BCE A Jain community forms in the trading center of Mathura. c. 4th-5th cent. CE Umasvati codifies Jain texts in the Tattvartha Sutra. 5th cent. Schism occurs, forming the Svetambara and Digambara sects. 9th-11th cent. Digambara Jainism is frequently supported by south Indian royalty. 12th cent. Hemacandra, a Svetambara monk, is tutor to the rulers Siddharaja and his nephew Kumarapala. 17th cent. The iconoclastic Sthanakvasis sect emerges. 18th-19th cent. Decline of image-worshipping ascetic communities. 21st cent. Revival of asceticism and development of mystical sects. Many Jains emigrate to East Africa, the United Kingdom and North America. (Religionfacts.com)

Interesting Facts Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion. Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation by escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives forever in a state of bliss. To achieve liberation, you must eliminate all karma from the soul. Some Jains are “fruitarians” which means they only eat fruit, nuts, and milk. For example, if you were to pull up a carrot or chop up a potato this would be considered doing violence to a living being. Fruit, nuts, and milk are the by- products of the living beings and not the living beings themselves. Some Jains sweep their chairs before they sit down or wear masks because it would be against the religion if you inhaled or squashed a microbe. This would result in unwanted karma because it’s violence to a living being.

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTIDid4D9E

Works Cited The Basics of Jainism. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. "Library." Jainism Origins, Jainism History, Jainism Beliefs. Patheos, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2015. "Jainism." ReligionFacts. N.p., 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 07 Mar. 2015. "Jainism." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2015. Kothari, Saroj. "Concept of Nonviolence in Jainism." Concept of Nonviolence in Jainism. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.

Works Cited (Cont.) "Jainism." Jainism. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2015. "Jainism". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2015 "Jainism Facts." Jainism Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2015. “Lord Mahavir and Jain Religion.” Jain Study Center of North Carolina, 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.