Jainism

Jainism Tirthankara Based on teachings of Mahavira Roots in Hinduism 4.2 million followers

Pandav Leni Caves 24 - 2000 yr. old caves

New Delhi, India

Mahavira 599 B.C. – 527 B.C. Prince in Bihar, India Raised a Hindu Believed Hinduism put too much emphasis on rituals 30 years old – left home became a monk 12 years – meditation and fasting Finally believed he achieved perfect perception, knowledge, power, and bliss (keval-jnana)

Mahavira Spent 30 yrs. - travelling on bare feet around India. He organized his followers, into a four fold order, namely monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shravak), and laywoman (Shravika). Later on they are known as Jains. Goal: attain freedom from the cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and death

5 Basic Principles Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - not to cause harm to any living beings Truthfulness (Satya) - to speak the harmless truth only Non-stealing (Asteya) - not to take anything not properly given Chastity (Brahmacharya) - not to indulge in sensual pleasure Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - complete detachment from people, places, and material things

Beliefs Believe everything is alive and part of cycle of rebirth Believed in karma & reincarnation

Holidays - 2013 April 11: Akshaya Tritiya April 23: Mahavir Jayanti September 9: Dashalakshani Parva September 9: Anata Chaturdasi / Anant Chaturdashi September 10: Paryushan / Paryushana Parva September 18: Samvatsari September 18: Ksamavani November 3: Lokashah Jayanti November 3: Diwali / Deepavali November 5: Bhai Beej November 8: Jnan Panchami

Sikhism

Sikhism Founded centuries after Jainism Roots in teachings of Guru Nanak Guru – Sanskrit – teacher

Guru Nanak A.D. 1400s Raised Hindu but grew dissatisfied with teachings Began traveling – came into contact with other cultures/religions (including Islam) Teachings – blended beliefs of other religions Over time – expanded by 9 other gurus

Guru Nanak

Sikhism Monotheistic God has no physical form but can be sensed in nature Goal - Be united with God after death

Achieve Goal Meditate to find spiritual enlightenment Takes more than one lifetime Reincarnation

Beliefs Live truthfully Treat all equal – regardless of gender or social class Pray several times per day Wear 5 items at all times: long hair, small comb, steel bracelet, sword, special under garment turbans