Jainism By Bradley Glover Rachel Patterson Cece Zepeda Corey Bruemmer

Essential Questions What is the Human Condition? What is the Human Condition?  According to Jainism, people are caught in an endless death- rebirth cycle called Samsara, which is laden with ignorance and suffering. The Jiva (soul) is trapped in Samsara and is anchored to the world of Ajiva (the world of matter) by our Karma. Where are we going? Where are we going?  After death, we will experience either a favorable or unfavorable rebirth based on our collective Karma, or we can achieve Moksha (liberation) of the Jiva from the Ajiva and be freed from the cycle of Samsara. How do we get there? How do we get there?  Leading an ascetic life  Attaining Kevala (a pure, omniscient consciousness)  Following the teachings of the Mahavira and the Five Great Vows

Doctrines & Beliefs Twenty-three figures preceded Mahavira; known as Tirthankaras Twenty-three figures preceded Mahavira; known as Tirthankaras  Forged this life and Nirvana Mahavira, 24 th and last Tirthankara Mahavira, 24 th and last Tirthankara  Severe asceticism required to release soul in life  Ahimsa (non-injury to life) Life is endless reincarnation Life is endless reincarnation Karma: result of the buildup of an individual's activity Karma: result of the buildup of an individual's activity  To escape: Do as little as possible Dualistic Nature: Dualistic Nature:  Matter (ajiva): lifeless, material, evil  Soul (jiva): eternal, valuable

Doctrines & Beliefs Severe asceticism: torturing the “evil flesh” is the only way to Moksha (release) Severe asceticism: torturing the “evil flesh” is the only way to Moksha (release) Gods are acknowledged, but not relied upon Gods are acknowledged, but not relied upon Five Great Vows: Five Great Vows:  Ahimsa (non-injury to life)  To always speak the truth  Refrain from taking anything not given to them  Renounce sexual pleasures  Renounce all attachments

Doctrines & Beliefs By 80 BCE, Jains were severely divided over the true meaning of Jainism, thus split into two sects By 80 BCE, Jains were severely divided over the true meaning of Jainism, thus split into two sects Svetambara (“the white-clad”) Svetambara (“the white-clad”)  Northern part of India  Liberal in interpretation  “white-clad” because they reject the necessity of nudity Digambara (“sky-clad”) Digambara (“sky-clad”)  Southern India  Adhere to old ideals  Require their monks to go about nearly nude; nudity reserved for those of greatest holiness In 1473, Sthanakavasi group arose out of Svetambara In 1473, Sthanakavasi group arose out of Svetambara  Reject temples and idols

Religious Experience Two distinct groups Two distinct groups  Majority: the laity  Minority: the monks and nuns 40,000 temples in India to worship Tirthankaras 40,000 temples in India to worship Tirthankaras Many rituals in the home Many rituals in the home  Reciting the names of the Jinas (saints from the past)  Bathing idols  Offering flowers and perfumes  Meditation and observance of vows during their worship The Five Great Vows: The Five Great Vows:  Generally, all Jains follow the first three; monks keep all five  Basic principle of Jainism, all other aspects are secondary

Religious Experience Laity may marry and have a family and possessions – may not expect release Laity may marry and have a family and possessions – may not expect release Conversion: there is no ritual; one becomes a Jain by adopting the vows Conversion: there is no ritual; one becomes a Jain by adopting the vows Views towards women: Views towards women:  Mahavira - “women are the greatest temptation in the world”  Svetambara – very accepting of women (monasteries, release)  Digambara – aligned with Mahavira No chance of release No chance of release Greatest temptation to man Greatest temptation to man Prohibited from entering monasteries and temples Prohibited from entering monasteries and temples Refuse Mahavira's marriage Refuse Mahavira's marriage

Sacred Texts Tattvartha Sutra Tattvartha Sutra  Acharya Umaswati - 2 nd century BCE  Bring together the elements of the Jain path  Regarded as most authoritative text in Jainism Agamas Agamas  Based on Mahavira's teachings  Composed around 6 th to 3 rd century BCE  Consists of many sutras  Written in various languages Kalpa Sutra Kalpa Sutra  Biographies of Jain Tirthankaras  Bhadrabahu I - ~377 BCE  Read during Paryushan

Rituals The Navkar Mantra is the fundamental prayer The Navkar Mantra is the fundamental prayer  Gesture of respect to spiritually advanced beings Purpose of worship is to break worldly attachments and desires Purpose of worship is to break worldly attachments and desires Avashyakas (six obligatory duties) Avashyakas (six obligatory duties)  Smayika (practicing serenity)  Chaturvimshati (praising the Tirthankara)  Vandn (respecting teachers and monks)  Pratikramana (introspection)  Kayotsarga (stillness)  Pratyakhayana (renunciation)

Rituals Paryushana Paryushana  One of the most important festivals for Jains  Lasts 8-10 days  Comes at the time when wandering monks take up temporary residence for four months of monsoon  The laity take on vows of study and fasting similar to monasticism  Reading of the Kalpa Sutra Mahavira Jayanti Mahavira Jayanti  Birthday of Mahavira (the last Tirthankara)  Celebrated the thirteenth day in the month of Chaitra (late March or early April) Diwali Diwali  Takes place during Kartik around the full moon day (Oct. or Nov.)  Celebrates the enlightenment of Lord Mahavira

Rituals Fasting Fasting  Fasting is done with most festivals  Sallekhana: holy fast to death Meditation Meditation  Samayika: achieve a feeling of perfect calmness and understand one's self  Assists in managing and balancing one's passions  Emphasis on internal control of thought Monasticism Monasticism  Encouraged and respected  Wander from place to place barefoot  Don't use phones or electricity or other basic things

Ethics and Moral Conduct Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 Gujarat State Assembly passed Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill to amend anti-conversion act Gujarat State Assembly passed Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill to amend anti-conversion act Mandates Jainism and Buddhism as denominations of Hinduism Mandates Jainism and Buddhism as denominations of Hinduism  Allows conversion between different sects of the same faith as well as between Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism Discredits Jainism as a religion Discredits Jainism as a religion Met with protest from the Jain community Met with protest from the Jain community

Ethics and Moral Conduct Jain monk Mitranadsagar: Jain monk Mitranadsagar:  “Jainism is an independent religion and the bill passed by the Gujarat government is against the constitution of the country”  “Jainism has been accorded the status of an independent religion by the Constitution. The Jain religion has no relation with Hinduism. Jainism existed even before the term Hinduism was coined in the history of Aryavrat” Bill was withdrawn March 10, 2008 Bill was withdrawn March 10, 2008 Gujarat Governor Sharma found it to be violative of the Constitution Gujarat Governor Sharma found it to be violative of the Constitution The motion to withdraw the bill was put to vote and passed unanimously The motion to withdraw the bill was put to vote and passed unanimously