SCS 514 World Religions Jainism Reverence for life.

Jainism Founded in India 6 th century BCE By Nataputra Vardhamana, who became known as Mahavira, the Great Hero.

Jain demographics  There are about 6 million Jains in the world today.  Jainism is mostly found in central and south India, especially around the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay).  Two major sects – Digambara & Svetambara

Jain Schism The Digambara (“Sky-clad”) sect believes that a true saint should own nothing, not even clothes. In former times they went about naked; today they wear only a loincloth. They hold salvation from the cycle of birth and re-birth life is not possible for women. The Svetambara (“White- robed”) sect obviously disagrees with these points.

The Twenty-four Tirtankaras According to Jainist belief, sometime in the dim past wise teachers began to appear and give humanity lessons in how to achieve Moksha, release from the cycles of birth, death and rebirth. They were symbolically described as river fords, those rare places where someone could pass through the floods of life to the opposite shore. The Sanskrit word is fording- place is tirtankara.

Mahavira There were twenty- four Tirthankaras (“ford-makers”) in all. The ascetic sage Mahavira was the last and greatest of these. Jains believe he should be revered and worshiped above all others. Jainist image of Mahavira

Jainism has an ancient symbol which has become problematic for Westerners.

Jain Swastika Jains have historically called their religious symbol the Swastik. They create the image with lines of dry rice in front of the images of deities in the temple. Swastik drawing is commonly referred to as Swastik rangoli.

Jain Symbol Upon completion of their Swastik rangoli, Jains usually make an offering, which can be fruit, dried fruit, other sweets, and sometimes a currency note. Votive lights for Diwali festival

Obviously, its use in Indian religion predates the Nazi movement’s plagiarism of this ancient symbol by over 2,000 years. The Swastika is used by Hindus and Buddhists as well as Jains.

Four Destinations The four arms of the Jain Swastika symbolize four possible places of rebirth: heaven, hell, earthly existence as a reincarnated human, and rebirth in nature as a member of the animal/plant kingdom.

Sometimes, Asian religious symbolism creates bizarre images for the Western mind…

Sometimes, it’s just plain weird…

Jain Scriptures  Jain Agamas  Siddhantas The Jain Agamas teach great reverence for all forms of life, strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence even in self-defense, and opposition to war. Jainism is, above all, a religion of love and compassion. The Siddhantas is important in the history of science because of its link to early astronomical observation.

From the Agamas All unenlightened persons produce sufferings. Having become deluded, they produce and reproduce sufferings in this endless world. That which subdues passions, leads to beatitude and fosters friendliness, is called knowledge in the Jain doctrine.

Agamas My soul characterized by knowledge and faith is alone eternal. All other phases of my existence to which I am attached are external occurrences that are transitory. Don’t kill any living beings. Don’t try to rule them. The essence of all knowledge consists in not committing violence.

Jainist Theology “Jainism does not believe in God as the creator of universe. The objective of Jainism is to make every effort for Moksha or Liberation from unending cycles of birth, death and re-birth and become a ‘Jina’. “For Jains the Jina is God. Every human being and every living being has the potential to become Jina or God. “Jainism never became a dominant religion in India but always had a peaceful co-existence with Hinduism and Buddhism.” Source:

1. Non-violence - A himsa 2. Truth - Satya 3. Non-stealing - Achaurya or Asteya 4. Celibacy/Chastity - Brahmacharya 5. Non-attachment/Non-possession - Aparigraha Five Vows of Jain Monk

Ahisma The principle of nonviolence “While several religions practice nonviolence and peace as a fundamental principle, Jainism is unique in extending this principle to all jivas (living beings). For Jains, living beings include not only humans and animals, but everything one finds on earth. Ahimsa must therefore be extended not only to humans and animals, but also soil, sand, oceans, fires, insects, microbes and plants.

“No vegetables were harmed during the preparation of this dinner…”? “For this reason, most Jains are not just vegetarians but ‘fruitarians’ - they eat only fruit, nuts and milk. These foods are acceptable because they are only the by-products of the living beings and not the living beings themselves. “To pull up a carrot or chop a potato would be to do violence to a living being (actually several living beings, as root vegetables are seen as multi- organic and therefore multi- souled).

Even germs have a right to life… “This unique concept of nonviolence also explains why some Jain monks and nuns wear masks over their mouths and noses or carry whisks with which they brush chairs before sitting. To inhale or squash even a microbe would constitute violence to a living thing, resulting in unwanted karma.”

Ultimate Goal “Moksha is defined in Jainism as liberation, self-unity and integration, pure aloneness and endless calm, freedom from action and desire, freedom from karma and rebirth. Moksha is attainable in this world or at the time of death. When it is reached, man has fulfilled his destiny as the man-God.”

No God “Out There” There is no creator God in Jainism, hence communion with “Him”. The true nature of the soul is of itself divine-- pure consciousness, power, bliss and omniscience.* *Ibid.

SCS 514 World Religions Jainism Reverence for life.

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