Continuing with Jainism Milestones, Symbols, Sacred Writings, Groups and Institutions

Milestone: Sallekhana Recall: How did Mahavira die? (p. 71/p. 73) Sallekhana is the process of gradually fasting to the point of death.

Sallekhana A person who dies from anorexia is not considered to be participating in Sallekhana Sallekhana is not considered to be a form of suicide, even though people willingly undertake this form of death Although it is difficult to understand for many people, it is considered to be a sacred and holy practice, and not a form of self destruction

Sallekhana Jainism views death by fasting as the ultimate renouncement of worldy possessions, allowing the participant to die in full meditative awareness, mainting their vow until the very end of their earthly existence.

Symbol: Swastika and Open Palm Adopted in 1973, 2500 years after Mahavira’s death The outside represents the Jainism version of “the shape of the universe” or a person like so with wide legs and hands on hips:

Symbol: Swastika and Open Palm The swastika represents four types of birth into which a soul can reincarnate during its journey in the universe Three dots represent the three “jewels” of Jain philisophy by which liberation can be attained: Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct Half moon represents the safe abode where souls reside, and the dot within represents the liberated soul

Symbol: Swastika and Open Palm The hand itself represents a gesture of blessing and protection The spokes within the circle represent jinas The symbol in the middle is the word ahimsa

Sacred Writing: Agama The Agama is the sacred writing of Jainism, based on Mahavira’s teachings.

Digambaras and Svetambaras Within the Jain community, there are two distinct religious groups: the Digambaras (the sky-clad, or unclothed) and the Svetambaras (white- clad). Both groups agree on the central beliefs behind the Jain religion, their practices are different. The division between both clans started around 300BCE over two issues: the nature of Mahavira and monastic nudity.

Digambaras and Svetambaras Concerning Mahavira: Sky-Clad Jains hold the opinion that Mahavira was more godly than human. They thought that once Mahavira achieved enlightement he was free from human needs such as thirst, hunger and sleep. White-Clad Jains believe that Mahavira lived a relatively ordinary life and achieved liberation as a natural part of his life. This disagreement is significant, but the true dividing point between the groups is monastic nudity.

Digambaras and Svetambaras Concerning Monastic Nudity: At one point, most Jain monks practiced nudity in accordance to their renouncement of earthly possessions. According to one account, the group that came to be known as the sky-clad sect followed a Jain leader south when he predicted a famine in the north. The group was gone for quite some time. When they returned, the white-clad sect had begun wearing a few items of white clothing - seemingly contradicting their previous practice of nudity.

Digambaras and Svetambaras The sky-clad group claimed that wearing clothes contradicted the belief of giving up all earthly possessions, a key aspect of the Five Practices. In response, the white-clad group felt that wearing some clothes was not a problem. The groups have not been able to overcome this difference. To this day, the sky-clad Jains are a separate and distinct group from the white-clad group.

Digambaras and Svetambaras Final Words: Sky-clad monks are covered from view when they are in public Women have never been permitted to go sky-clad, and according to this group, women are not able to reach liberation The white-clad group acknowledges the ability of women to achieve liberation without participating in monastic nudity