2. JAINISM Jain Society Of Metropolitan Chicago

3. Jain philosophy has come to mankind through the experience of human individuals who assumed mastery over destiny, witnessed eternity of all existence and attained permanent freedom. Jain philosophy is based on the idea that the highest goal in our existence is to reach this destination i.e. to overcome the inner causes of hatred, desire and destructive passion to realize spiritual identity.

4. Jainism A religion and a way of Life. For thousand years Jains have been practicing vegetarianism, and environmentalism. Jains have three core practices Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness.

5. What is religion? Vaththu Sahävo Dhammo True nature of the given thing is the true Dharma of that thing Dhärayait iti Dharma What holds one from falling from spiritual degeneration is religion Any activity which takes you closer to the true nature of the soul is Dharma

6. Who are Jains? –Jains are followers of JINA, one who has subdued the senses, silenced the passions, eliminated every level of attachment and aversion, and thus attained absolute knowledge and peace. –Passions - inner enemies Anger Greed Ego Deceit

7. Ahimsa Parmo Dharma Compassion and Non-violence is the Supreme religion.

8. Five Great vows Ahimsa--Nonviolence / Compassion Not to cause harm to any living beings Satya--Truthfulness To speak harmless truth only Asteya--Non stealing Not to take anything not properly given Brahmacharya--Chastity Not to indulge in sensual pleasure Aparigraha--Non possession / Non attachment Complete detachment from people, places, and material things

9. Non-stealing Celibacy Truthfulness Non-Violence Non-Possessiveness

10. Classification of Living being is according to sense organ development.( Life Force and Bio- potential Power).

11. Life Forces Drvya Prän (Vitality) Sparsh-Indriya Touch Ras-Indriya Taste Ghrän-lndriya Smell Chakshu-lndriya Vision Shrotra-Indriya Hearing Mano-bal Mind Vachan-bal Speech Käy-bal Body Shväsoshväs Respiration Äyushya Longevity

12. “The destruction of life forces due to an act involving negligence is violence

13. Basic Instincts of all living beings Food Fear Pleasure from senses Possession All living beings cherish and cling to their own lives, struggle to avoid pain and misery

14. Different Ways We Commit Himsä Mind, Body and Speech Doing, Encouraging and silent consent Past, Present and Future Five One Sense Being, And Four Other with two to five sense organs

15. Avoidable

16. Easy rule of thumb to follow Violence of immobile or mobile life (minute or gross life), for livelihood, due to offence, with cause – all these unavoidable violence should be carried out in such a way that our heart does not become cruel and our compassion is not lost. Violence of innocent mobile life carried out with intention should be avoided completely.

17. Ahimsa –Respecting the feeling and emotions of other people and creatures. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any living being including plant and vegetables. Renunciation of killing of all living beings, whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable Universal Love, respect for all creatures

18. Positive Aspects Ahimsa--caring for and sharing with all living beings as well as tending to, protecting and serving them. Entails universal friendliness, universal forgiveness and universal fearlessness.

20. Non-violence (Ahimsa)--strengthens the autonomy of life everywhere Non-absolutism (Anekäntaväda)--strengthens autonomy of thoughts & speech, and non-possessiveness Non-possessiveness--strengthens autonomy of interdependence The above three realistic principles, strengthen our belief that every living being has a right to self-existence.

21. These principles translate into three practices: One should not kill One should not trample others’ thoughts One should not trample nature

22. Compassionate Living Ahimsä (non-violence): Not to cause pain to any living beings in words, in thoughts, and in actions. We do not have right to harm, abuse, or exploit animals, birds, fish etc. It is a compassionate living in harmony with nature. Vegetarianism – To live a life with minimum violence and avoid animal base products.

23. Environment Possesses Life Jainism believes that all Five basic Elements of the Universe which make our environment possess life –Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Vegetation It also believes that every living being possesses one to five senses –Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Hearing

24. Environment Possesses Life Vegetation, Earth, Air, Water, Fire, etc. possesses one sense (touch) while,insect, Animals and Humans possess all five senses. Also human beings alone are blessed with the sixth sense of advanced developed thinking. Therefore, –Humanity is responsible for achieving oneness and harmony with all life by being careful, compassionate, loving and nonviolent.

25. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Non-Possessiveness / Self-restraint is the second most important Jain principle –Minimizing consumption provides respect for other’s life and Environment –Reduce needs and wants as far as possible. –Reuse / Recycle Products - Not to waste the gifts of nature –Share resources –Nature provides enough for our NEED not enough for our GREED

26. What does Jainism teach about ecology? Not possible to survive with absolute non-violence. Hence the destruction of one sense life is essential for our survival. Destruction of higher sensed living beings is a more cruel act because of higher development of their senses, which inflicts more pain on them. It also has a greater impact on environment Hence Jainism advocates vegetarianism against raising animals for food.

27. Impact on Environment To produce 1 lb. of meat, an average of 40 lb of vegetation is used. (This calculation takes in to consideration, the land clearing, as well as food for the live- stock till slaughter - food cattle are generally slaughtered prior to 2-years-old, dairy cattle may live 4 years before being turned into burgers). To produce 1 lb. of meat, an average of 2500 gallons of water is used. (1 lb. of wheat requires 108 gallons of water, 1 lb. of rice needs 229 gallons of water, 1 lb. of potatoes require 60 gallons of water). *Source: USDA 2001.

28. Impact on Environment Waste released in the environment by US meat and dairy industry: 230,000 pounds per second, polluting our land, air and water systems. *Source: USDA 2001.

29. Vitaräga means ‘without attachment’ Siddha is a pure consciousness or pure soul without any Karma bondage Tirthankar is one who establishes religion. What does God mean in Jainism

30. God is NOT the creator, destroyer and sustainer of the universe. The universe, and living beings have been there from eternity and will be there for eternity God IS omnipotent and omniscient, however, he DOES NOT use His power and knowledge, as a matter of fact He does not have a desire to do so, putting it simply.

31. Jainism - Basic Beliefs God, Universe and LifeGod, Universe and Life –God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the universe –Liberated souls are Jain Gods, who are only knowers and observers, but not doers –Universe is made of two eternal and self-existing elements Living beings (souls)Living beings (souls) Non-living Substances (Matter, Space, mediums of Motion and Rest, Time)Non-living Substances (Matter, Space, mediums of Motion and Rest, Time) –The principles governing the successions of life cycles (birth, life, and death) is Karma particles which are attached to the soul from the beginning of time.

32. Jainism - Basic Beliefs (continued) Jainism - Basic Beliefs (continued) Life SufferingLife Suffering –Ignorance is the root cause of all suffering –Soul is ignorant from the beginning of time –Karma attaches to the soul due to soul's ignorance Ultimate Goal of LifeUltimate Goal of Life –Removal of soul's ignorance, hence be free from all karma –Liberated soul is an all knower and observer, but not a doer which is an ideal state of living

33. Scriptures Jain scriptures are based on a collection of 14 ancients texts that contained direct teachings of the Last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir. Sermons originally delivered in Prakrit language, were later on compiled in various texts called Agama Sutra.

34. Features of Jainism Every living being is eternal, individual, and has a potential to become liberated or GodEvery living being is eternal, individual, and has a potential to become liberated or God At liberation the soul remains finite, lives in Moksha forever, and never loses its identityAt liberation the soul remains finite, lives in Moksha forever, and never loses its identity The principles governing the successions of life cycles (Birth, Life, and Death) is KarmaThe principles governing the successions of life cycles (Birth, Life, and Death) is Karma Our ignorance or intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with KarmaOur ignorance or intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with Karma Path of liberation is to follow Righteous Perception, Righteous Knowledge, and Righteous ConductPath of liberation is to follow Righteous Perception, Righteous Knowledge, and Righteous Conduct

35. Jain Religion Features Desire is the root cause of all sufferingDesire is the root cause of all suffering Conquer your desire by your own effort in order to attain liberation.Conquer your desire by your own effort in order to attain liberation. Self purification, penance, austerity, and meditation are essential for Righteous Conduct.Self purification, penance, austerity, and meditation are essential for Righteous Conduct. Nonviolence is the highest principle to be followed in thought, speech, and action.Nonviolence is the highest principle to be followed in thought, speech, and action. One must cease injuring sentient creatures, large and small.One must cease injuring sentient creatures, large and small.

36. Empowering Theory While the Law of Karma dictates what we are experiencing now to be the result of our own past action, the Law - by clearly defining the principle of cause and effect - also lays before us positive future direction of our own choice and making Only WE are responsible for our past, present and future and only WE can alter it. No one else can!

37. Unique Features Of Jainism Ideals of compassion and non-possessiveness build a strong sense of social service. No war was ever waged to convert or coerce Equality of woman in society and religion. Independence from priestly domination.

38. Comparing Eastern and Western Religions

39. The True God:  Eastern ƒOne true and absolute Self or God ƒMany images of one supreme God ƒGod is pure love and consciousness ƒThere are many paths to God by way of understanding, temperament, and maturity ƒAll souls are capable to be Liberated  Western ƒThere is only one true God and One true religion ƒGod is loving as well as wrathful ƒThose who accept God will enjoy God's grace ƒAll others will suffer eternally in Hell

40. Doctrine:  Eastern ƒDoctrines tend to be subtle, complex, and even paradoxical ƒFreedom to worship and to believe in a variety of ways is predominant ƒOther paths are accepted as God's divine will ƒIt is universal and tolerant  Western ƒDoctrines tend to be simple, clear, and rational ƒWorship and belief are formalized and required ƒOther paths are endured, but not honored ƒIt is exclusive and dogmatic

41. Creation of the Universe:  Eastern ƒExists in endless cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction ƒNo absolute end to the world ƒNo duality of God and world but a unity  Western ƒCreated by God at some point in time ƒIn future it will be destroyed by Him forever ƒHe is separate from it, and rules it from above (dualistic nature)

42. Worship:  Eastern ƒWorship is individual, highly ritualistic, and meditative ƒCenters around the temple and home shrine ƒAny time of the day  Western ƒWorship is congregational, simple in its rituals ƒCenters around the church, synagogue, or mosque ƒMostly on a Sabbath day (Moslems 5 times a day)

43. Ascetic Life (Sainthood)  Eastern ƒThrough renunciation, self discipline, purification, contemplation, and meditation ƒValue is placed on individual religious practice (Sadhana): –yoga, meditation, and super conscious awakening ƒLittle emphasis on social work and concerns  Western ƒSubmit to God through self-sacrifice, and concern for others ƒValue is placed on good work, social concerns, and scriptural study ƒLittle emphasis on yoga and meditation