C0MMUNITIES OF THE WORLD BUDDHIST JAINIS JEWS By NITYA SURI

What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a major world religion, or in a better sense, philosophy. It is the 4 th largest religion of the world, and has about 300,000,000 people living by it. It explains the purpose of life, injustices and inequality around the world. It also helps people by providing a way of life that will lead to true happiness.

The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – the teacher Dharma – the teachings Sangha – the community

Who was the Buddha? Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E. Raised in great luxury to be a king Empathy for the suffering of others; at age 29 rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35 Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved

Teachings of Buddha The Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”

Eight-Fold Path Wisdom: Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline: Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline: Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation

The 5 precepts Do not take the life of anything living Do not take anything not freely given Abstain from sensual overindulgence Refrain from untrue speech Avoid intoxication Do not lose mindfulness This is the moral code of the Buddhists

What do Buddhists believe? Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma) Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

The Spread of Buddhism Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia By 13 th century Buddhism had disappeared from India

Non-Violence Jainism is a Religion and a Way of Life (Ahimsa)

Mahavira B.C. Parallels Buddha’s life Family wealth vs. poverty Joined ascetics Became far more extreme in practice of Non-Violence Ahimsa yields true release Ahimsa produces Jina (release from this life or conqueror over attachment, hence the name Jain )

Timeline 571AD Mohammed Judaism Christianity Jainism Hinduism Islam 2600BC Abraham 2200BC Exodus from Egypt 30BC Christ Beginningless/Endless 557BC, Mahavir 483BC Gautam Buddha 1940sAD Israel Buddhism

Jain Monastics: Two Major Sects Digambara (sky clad male monks) –Given up all belongings –Live alone or in small groups in the forests –Teach Jainism –Spend 3 months during rainy season in one location (to minimize killing insects on the ground from excessive walking)

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

Jain Way of Life is Universal Irrespective of your Religion

“Validated” Treasure in Jainism Non-Violence Filtered/boiled water Jain mathematics Plant life & Environmentalism Equality towards women Animal Protection Molecules and atoms Compassionate diet/ Vegetarianism Meditation and Yoga – mind “More than 2500 Years old…”

Jain Festivals Mahavir’s Birthday Mahavir’s Nirvan Celebration – Diwali, New year Paryshan Parv –Remembering and Practicing the qualities of the Soul

Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people A celebration and sanctification of life A faith, a people, a way of life…

A 4000 year old tradition… The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3800 years ago) Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago) Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE

As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew the Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

As a people, Jews are… A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) 15 – 16 million in worldwide population United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: Orthodox: Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox) Reformed (18 th century Germany) Conservative – moderates, response to reform Reconstructionalism (20 th century America)

As a way of life, Judaism is based on… 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc. Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival) Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

More Holy Days… Purim (“Lots”) – a carnival (commemorates events told in book of Esther) Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus) Shavuot (“weeks,” Pentecost) – commemorates receipt of Torah at Sinai Other, minor festivals Shabbat (Sabbath, 7 th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest”