Chapter 5: Jainism RELS 110: World Religions

Slide 2. Time Line: The “ axial age ” in India  1500 BCE: Rig Veda  : Upanishads  6 th Century: Jainism  5 th Century: Buddhism  400BCE-200CE: Ramayana  The “ axial age ” wasn ’ t just in India, but also Greece, Israel, Persia, China. A variety of traditions, some Brahmanic, some non-Brahmanic These two are anti- Brahmanic: rites are of no effect.

Slide 3. Jainism: Topics The Tirthankaras and ascetic orders Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars Spiritual practices World Jainism

Slide 4. Jainism Overview Indian religion not grounded in the Vedas does not officially acknowledge the caste system. an ascetic path, Jainism is practiced in its fullest by (celibate) monks and nuns.

Slide 5. 3 basic Jain assumptions about the universe 1. law of karma applies to all living things 2. ahimsa (non-violence) is the only escape from samsara 3. can’t depend on priestly caste, ritual sacrifice, fate, or deities.

Slide 6. Key terms ahimsa anekantwad aparigraha Digambara jiva muni Svetambara Tirthankaras

Slide 7. TimelineTimeline Time before c. 777 BCE BCE from 3rd century BCE CE 1970s-1980s CE Event Series of 23 Tirthankaras Life of Mahavira Digambaras and Svetambaras diverge Acharya Tulsi Jain monks establish Jain centers outside India

Slide 8. MahaviraMahavira Mahavira (“great hero”) given name was Vardhamana, born a kshatriya, Teacher of Jainism in the 6th century BCE. twenty-fourth of the Tirthankaras, or “fordmakers” Implication: Jainism began long before Mahavira.

Slide 9. Akaranga Sutra Once when he [sat in meditation], his body unmoving, they cut his flesh, tore his hair, and covered him with dirt. They picked him up and then dropped him, disturbing his meditational postures. Abandoning concern for his body, free from desire, the Venerable One humbled himself and bore the pain.

Slide 10. Two ascetic orders the Digambaras, wear no clothes; Women can’t be naked, so one must be born a male to attain liberation The Svetambaras, wear white robes; both males and females are capable of liberation.

Deeksha ceremony - joining the Jain monkhood Deeksha ceremony - joining the Jain monkhood

Slide 12. Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars Like Hinduism, Jainism maintains belief in samsara. One who attains the highest purity in their being is called Jina, winner. Jainism is a religion of hope, believing the Jiva, soul, has the capacity to save itself.

Slide 13. KarmaKarma shares concept of karma with Hinduism and Buddhism karma is subtle matter that accumulates and clings to us as we think and act. all karma must be eliminated to attain kevala, the highest state of perfection. three principles to avoid karma: Ahimsa Aparigraha, Anekantwad.

Ahimsa Non-Violence Ahimsa Non-Violence

Jainism’s influence on Gandhi (36:29-43:25=7min) Gandhi36:29 Gandhi36:29 Jainism’s influence on Gandhi (36:29-43:25=7min) Gandhi36:29 Gandhi36:29 Questions: 1.To what extent was Gandhi influenced by Jainism rather than Hinduism? 2.Hinduism rather than Jainism? 3.What do we admire about Gandhi?

Slide 16. Ahimsa: Non-violence. All life should not be injured. Our ultimate aim should be to cause as little harm as possible to other creatures What are some of the hazards Jains must avoid in order to practice nonviolence?

Slide 17. Aparigraha: non- attachment non-acquisitiveness is the way to inner liberation, and is valuable for the world. relate Jainism to modern ecological theories and environmental crises.

Slide 18. Anekantvad: “manifold aspects.” remain open-minded and avoid judgmentalism. issues can be seen from many different angles because truth has many facets.

Temple of 1000 Pillars (1:22)

Slide 20. Spiritual practices Jain monks and nuns are celibate, practice physical penance and fasting, and have few possessions. Jain laypeople lead simple lives. homes are kept clean vegetarians successful at work philanthropists

Slide 21. Spiritual practices 12 “limited” vows, 5 most important: non-violence Truthfulness not taking anything that has not been given renouncing any sexual activity outside marriage limiting one’s possessions.

Slide 22. Jain Worship May or may not worship at temples temples have images of the Tirthankaras Worship does not include supplication or many priestly activities Ideally Jains worship without expecting personal response or help.

Slide 23. Festivals and pilgrimages holy days celebrated with Meditation Renunciation Fasting scriptural study Hymns Divali (a Hindu celebration), celebrated with a three-day fast and an entire night reciting hymns and meditating on Mahavir. Paryushan Mahaparva: an annual festival of atonement. an eight-day fast, followed by a final Forgiveness Day pilgrimages to sacred sites, many in state of Bihar.

Slide 24. World Jainism Jainism remained within India for most of its history Acharya Tulsi initiated new orders of semi-monks and nuns and carried it to the world. started the Anuvrat (“small vow”) Movement to encourage people of all faiths to cultivate strong moral standards. avoid willful killing of any innocent creature, refrain from attacks and aggression and to work instead for world peace and disarmament, avoid discrimination on the basis of caste or race, eschew religious intolerance, avoid false business and political practices, limit acquisition of possessions, eschew addictive substances, avoid wasting water or cutting down trees. avoid willful killing of any innocent creature, refrain from attacks and aggression and to work instead for world peace and disarmament, avoid discrimination on the basis of caste or race, eschew religious intolerance, avoid false business and political practices, limit acquisition of possessions, eschew addictive substances, avoid wasting water or cutting down trees.

Slide 25. Jainism and Modern Western Culture What in Jainism is relevant to modern issues? Ahimsa? Aparigraha? Anekantwad? What is good about Jainism? In a Materialist perspective? In a Functional perspective? In a Belief perspective? Could you be a Jain? What would be the obstacles?