Important Terms Karma – the moral law of cause and effect Ahimsa – “nonviolence”, an important ethical principle requiring Jains to respect all life Asceticism – a lifestyle of rigorous self-denial Jina – word from which Jainism is derived, meaning “conqueror” Tirthankaras – “makers of the river crossing”: spiritual conquerors of the past who have attained salvation Kevala – Jain enlightenment, which is perfect and complete knowledge / omniscience

Makers of the River Crossing Crossing the river symbolizes the spiritual journey, crossing from samsara into salvation beyond Parshva – the 23 rd tirthankara (lived in the eighth century B.C.) Mahavira – the 24 th tirthankara Born into kshatriya warrior class, married, had a daughter Unhappy with luxurious lifestyle Joined Jain ascetics, practiced extreme asceticism and attained enlightenment Preached to his followers for the rest of his life Mahavira vs. Gautama Gautama rejected asceticism: The Middle Way Gautama learned true practices of Buddhism on his own

Mahavira, the Twenty- fourth Tirthankara read

Biography of Mahavira Details about his former existence Five religiously significant moments of their lives: conception, birth, renunciation of material life, kevala and physical death / nirvana Parents’ names Number of followers How long did he live? A Brief Account

Biographies of the Tirthankaras Details about their former existence One religiously significant moment of their lives; choose from: conception, birth, renunciation of material life, kevala, or physical death / nirvana Number of followers How long did they live? Color of their body Amount of time elapsed since the death of the tirthankara before them

The Jain Universe Buddha spoke very little about cosmology – felt it was not related to one’s salvation In Jainism the salvation of the soul depends on understanding its predicament, which is found in the makeup of the universe Loka

Loka – a space that is limited but immense: If a god were to fly at the speed of ten million miles per second, it would take him seven years to travel from the top to the bottom Here, all things are both living and nonliving Never created, will never end Only strong winds exist outside of loka Below are many hells, above are many heavens All experience rebirth Final liberation is found at the very top, in the “realm of liberated souls”

Upward and Downward Cycles Upward and downward cycles – turning of a wheel, improvement and decay This happens forever Six ages Each last 21,000 years Only 24 tirthankas appear in each cycle Jains believe we are presently in 5 th cycle World’s rampant decay People are unkind Lack moral or spiritual competence to attain salvation Mahavira was the last of this cycle He and his 11 disciples were the last humans in this world to attain salvation until next cycle

The Human Condition: Clean Souls in Dirty Matter Jivas – souls Living Perfectly pure Ajiva – all forms of matter Nonliving Consists of space, time, motion, rest Impure (“matter is impure”) These two elements have become intertwined, thus making the jiva impure Salvation consists of liberating the soul from ajiva, the matter with which it is intertwined

Jainism classifies bodies / life-forms Stationary (plants) and moving (insects, mammals) By senses – five-sensed (humans, animals), four-sensed (flying insects), etc. Essentially, all life-forms are to be regarded as fellow creatures – worthy of respect and care – because all are inhabited by a soul Some life-forms can participate in spiritual development, but all must eventually be reborn into human bodies in order to attain salvation

The Religious Quest: The Rise of the Fallen Soul Salvation (the very top of the loka) is attained when the soul, or jiva, cleans all matter from itself and regains its original state of purity Karma is still crucial to the destiny of the soul, but in Jainism it is seen as strictly material Immoral actions tarnish the soul with heavy matter Virtuous actions leave only light bits of residue Total purification leads one to kevala (possible to attain while still living) Since Mahavira and his 11 were the last in this cycle to achieve kevala, the most that the rest of the Jains in this world can hope for is a good rebirth

Jain Sects Two categories Laypeople Ascetics: monks and nuns Two largest sects of Jainism ascetics Shvetambaras – “Those whose garment is white” Use bowls to beg and eat Believe women can attain kevala Believe there will still be a need for food in kevala Digambaras – “Those whose garment is the sky” Monks go about naked (nuns do not) Use hands to beg and eat Do not believe women can attain kevala – she must be reborn as a man Believe there is no need for food in kevala

Nonviolent and Ascetic: Jain Monks and Nuns The Five Great Vows Do not injure other life forms. Avoid lying. Do not take what has not been given. Renounce sexual activity. Renounce possession.

Prosperous and Moral: Jain Laypeople Twelve Vows for Jain Laity Do not intentionally injure a sentient life-form (that is, a life- form having two or more senses). Avoid lying. Do not take what has not been given. Avoid unchastity. Avoid greed. Avoid excessive travel. Avoid excessive indulgence in things such as food or clothing. Avoid any unnecessary harmful behavior (such as self- indulgence or excessive complaining). Restrict activities to a certain place for a period of time. Regularly perform the standing meditation. Fast on certain days. Give to ascetics and to charitable causes.