1. Jainism and Sikhism

2. Aside from Hinduism and Buddhism, what traditions exist in India?
Religions of India
Aside from Hinduism and Buddhism, what traditions exist in India?

3. Jainism

4. Jainism Overview
Jains are followers of the Jinas, “spiritual conquerors”
Jinas are also known as tirthankaras, “ford builders”-teachers who build bridges across the river of samsara to spiritual freedom
The tirthankaras help achieve release of the soul, jiva, from existence in this material world- known as karma
Formed in the 6th century BCE

5. Beliefs Jains, like Buddhists, do not believe God or gods are supreme
Jains recognize the “Five Supreme Beings”
Jinas/Tirthankaras/Arhats- “Worthy Ones”
Siddhas-The souls liberated from karma
The spiritual teachers of the monks and nuns
The scriptural teachers of the monks and nuns
The monks and nuns

6. Practices
Many Jains are ascetics, those who go to extreme lengths to deny themselves
Jain ascetics take the Mahavratas, the Great Vows
Ahimsa-Nonviolence
Satya-Speaking the truth
Brahmacharya-Abstaining from sex
Asteya-Not taking anything that is given
Aparigraha-Detachment from persons, places, and things
Jain laypeople take the anuvratas, or lesser vows- less strict versions

8. Sikhism

9. Sikhism Overview
Sikh means learner, a follower of the one God, Sat Guru (True Teacher), and a follower of the ten Gurus who reveal his teachings
The religion was born out of a conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India
“There is no Hindu or Muslim, so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow the path of God.”- Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism
Guru Nanak appointed a Guru to follow him

10. Beliefs
God is the creator of all things, and all is dependent on God’s will (hukam)
God does not become manifest in the world (unlike in Hinduism), so His will becomes known through the Gurus
“God is One, whose name is truth, the immanent creator, without fear, without hostility, immortal in form, unborn, self- sustaining, known by the grace of the Guru.”

11. Life Cycle
Sikhs believe in reincarnation and karma, which to them is the moral law of cause and effect
God gives Prasad, grace, to help them move through the five stages
From manmukh, wrong-doer, to gurmukh, devoted to the Guru, to sachkand, beyond rebirth and utter bliss

12. Practices “The Five Ks” Sikhs wear turbans
Kesh-Uncut hair, showing acceptance of God’s will
Kangha-Carrying a comb, a symbol of controlled spirituality
Kirpan-A steel dagger, showing determination to defend the truth
Kara-A steel bangle worn on the wrist
Katchera-An undergarment showing moral strength
Sikhs wear turbans
Community is very important to Sikhs-They cook and distribute vegetarian meals for free, spend time at temples, etc
The Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh holy book