Jainism Chapter 4

Jainism in Images

Jainism Learning Objectives Comprehend the concepts/ terms Understand the main beliefs and teachings Understand the practices Know the title name of the founder Know the highlights of founder’s life that become core principles of the religion Trace the historical development of this religion Be able to compare and distinguish Jainism from Hinduism in belief, practices, and ultimate goal Know the two main Sects of the religion Know what Jains commonly worship Know what Jainism is today

Jainism: Key Terms Foundation shared with Hinduism: Samsara Dharma Karma Moksha/ Liberation The Jain path: asceticism The three core Jain principles: Ahimsa Aparigraha Anekantwad The Jain worldview: Dualistic: Jiva Ajiva Mahavira Tirthankara Jana/ Jina Jain The two main sects: Digambara Svetambara

Terms Jainism shares with Hinduism but understood in a Jain way Karma Samsara/ Reincarnation Dharma Moksha/ Liberation Ahimsa

Jainism: Unique Key Terms Jana/ Jina and Jain Ahimsa Aparigraha Anekantwad Jiva Ajiva Tirthankara

The Discovery of Jainism begins We go back to the 6th cent. B.C.E. in northern India We meet a man from the Kshatriya class named Nataputta Vardhamana

Life of Founder of Jainism (1) Nataputta Vardhamana Most date his life 599-527 B.C.E.which would make him a contemporary of Buddha, Confucius, Lao-tzu, & the great Hebrew prophets of the 6th cent. B.C.E. (“Axial Age”) Born in the Kshatriya caste Was exposed to ascetics who came through his village He turned from wealth and followed ascetics But then found them not strict enough and so made his own “way” more strict & incorporated ahimsa as part of the way to find release (moksha)

Life of Mahavira (2) He lived the life of a truly strict ascetic, always naked in cold & heat, begging for food, practicing ahimsa, for 12 years… Then he achieved release (moksha) from the bonds that tie ones soul to endless cycle of birth, death, & rebirth. Thus, he became known to his followers as Jina (conqueror) because he conquered the forces of life. He lived another 30 years teaching his way to followers His followers called in “Mahavira” meaning “Great Hero” His followers are called Jains. Jain (Webster’s Dict.) – fr. Sanskrit Jaina (1805) an adherent to Jainism

Founder of Jainism: Mahavira Jainism teaches that Mahavira is the last of the 24 figures called Tirthankaras The Tirthankaras are sainted past great enlightened teachers, Jinas, of Jainism Mahavira is the last of the Tirthankaras in this present cosmic cycle

Teachings of Jainism (1): Core Teachings based on Hinduism Karma – it is because of matter (ajiva); if you have a body, you got it! Samsara/ Reincarnation (the fundamental problem around which Indian religions revolve); earth is eternal and karmic cycles are endless (Ahimsa – the non-injury of all living beings; Jain influence back into Hinduism) Dharma – right, moral code (Jain principles) Moksha - Liberation from the karmic cycle

Teachings of Jainism (2) Mahavira taught: Persons are souls encased in matter. Matter clings to the soul because of past actions (karma), and Karma: built up as a result of any activity Ultimate Goal: liberate the soul from matter The flesh viewed as being evil because it traps the spirit. The ascetic’s response to this is torment the flesh in some manner; Jainism’s answer is severe asceticism Worldview: dualistic: soul (jiva) and matter (ajiva) makes up whole universe.

Teachings of Jainism (3) Human predicament- individual soul in the body, body is inferior, and soul is to be free Release from the cycle of life/death/rebirth must be accomplished by the individual; no aid of God or gods (=Non-Theistic religion) or Tirthankaras (“Fordmakers”) Though Jain Temples are adorned with Tirthankaras figures, Jains who pray there do not seek even the help of these saints

Teachings of Jainism (4): Jain Cosmology Universe without beginning or end and many long cycles of progress and decline In beginning, people don’t need religion As cycle decline, Tirthankaras create religion in order to steer people away form the growing evil in the world All 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have achieved Jina; Mahavira was simply the last one in this present cycle

Jainism Sutra Quote on Karma as result of being in the body “All living beings owe their present form of existence to their own Karma; timid, wicked, suffering latent misery, they err about (in the Circle of Births), subject to birth, old age, and death.” “Sutrakrtanga,” trans. Herman Jacobi, in The Sacred Books of the East, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1895

Jainism: Beliefs Overview (1) The soul clings to matter, the body (karma) Action also causes karma Attachment to things and/or people also adds karma Samsara, reincarnation is a cosmic law, caused by karma No living being is to be injured (ahimsa) Strict asceticism is the path to liberation Moksha (liberation) is achieved by one’s own individual effort without the help of deities or the Tirthankara The Tirthankaras are models of perfection and achieving the highest spiritual state

Jainism: Beliefs Overview (2) Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara, founder of Jainism One who wins over the battle of the flesh, body, karma, and attachment, keeping dharma not avoiding karma by action, and achieves perfection is Jana/ Jina, a Jain The universe is a dualism of soul (Jiva) and matter (Ajiva) Jainism is open to any caste (Jainism is not based on the authority of the Vedas as Hinduism is; an alternative path)

Three Central Jain Principles Ahimsa – non injury of all living beings interpreted literally, broadly, and microscopically Aparigraha – refraining from the desire of acquiring any non-necessary possessions or attachment to relatives and friends Anekantwad – “manifold aspects” of the truth (e.g. famous Jain fable of the Blind Men and the Elephant)

The Main Goal(s): Accomplished by Practice/Effort Liberation (moksha) is the ultimate goal for all Jains, as it is for Hindus too Main problems are karma, the endless karmic cycle, and impurity of thought and deeds The ascetic path and daily meditation for purity can lead one to achieve their highest self, state of perfection, become a Jina, a winner over the karmic cycle, which in turn assures them of liberation, the ultimate goal Kevela: the highest state of perfection thru pure thoughts & action, keeping ahimsa, dharma, etc liberates the practitioners

Practices of Jainism (1) Asceticism – a strict form of self-denial Ahimsa – not injuring a single living creature (leads also to vegetarianism) Monks beg for food Abiding by the Jain Principles/Vows (nonviolence, truthfulness, not taking anything not given you, limiting one’s possessions, etc.) Restraint from acquisitions (Aparigraha)

Practices of Jainism (2) Meditation for purification Samayika – purifying the soul thru quiet prayer, chanting formulas Praying at Jain Temples and worshiping the Tirthankaras Attending Jain Festivals Pilgrimages in Jain sacred sites (e.g. Bihar)

The Belief and Practice of Ahimsa Multiple sense beings are higher life forms and the higher the life form, the heavier the karmic burden of its destruction But even the one sense life forms: plants, soil, minerals, stones, water-bodies, wind-bodies, fire-bodies: none of these or little organisms are to be injured “All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away. This is the pure, unchangeable, eternal law…” Akaranga Sutra, IV “Non-violence is the best guarantee of humanity’s survival and progress.” Acharya Tulsi

The Belief and Practice of Aparigraha Lit. “nonacquisitiveness” =non-acquire Central Jain teaching of non-attachment to things and people Cut one’s living requirements to a bare minimum; possessions possess us, even relatives and friends bind us to samsara Going naked symbolizes the freedom from possessions; Tirthankaras are always depicted naked, and therefore free Believed to be the way to inner peace

Jain Practices: The first Five Vows (lay & monks) 1. Vow of non-injury (ahimsa) 2. Vow of truthfulness 3. Vow of not taking anything not given you 4. Vow of renouncing any sexual activity outside of marriage 5. Vow of limiting attachments, possessions

Jain Sects 80 B.C.E., Jains were severely divided over the true meaning of Jainism, & split into two groups: 1 Svetambara (“white clad”) liberal, more popular-reject necessity of nudism 2 Digambara (“sky clad”) adhere to the old ideals and monks are nearly nude 1473, a 3rd group splintered off Svetambara, called Sthanakavasi, opposes temples and idols Jains divided today between those who worship in temples and those who do not

Jain Festivals and Pilgrimages Festivals: connects with the 5 majors events in the life of each of the Tirthankaras: April: Mahavira’s birthday celebrated Aug./Sept.: Paryushan (Paijusana) Mahapava: Festival of atonement/forgiveness; all Jains live as monk for a day or a week: Forgiveness Day Nov: Divali (adopted from Hindu Divali) 3-day fast, all night reciting hymns remembering Mahavira Full Moon Festivals Pilgrimages to sacred sites in beautiful mountain settings, e.g. Bihar near Nepal border, the “cradle of Jainism” 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have achieved their liberation here

World Jainism and Jainism Today At one time, Jainism was very popular in India, but it is a minority religion today Worldwide, est. 6 million Jains, a small no. compared to India’s total population There over 40,000 Jain temples to venerate the 24 Tirthankaras Ironically have become a wealthy class in India, much in part to their honesty Very strict vegetarians Has been taken to Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Brazil, and Kenya Renewed interest in the ascetic way of life Jain basic principles are viewed as an antidote to modern problems

Jain Scriptures Canon: Agam Sutras, or Agamas, also called Jain Shrut They date to c.a. 500 C.E. “A few layperson Jains, as well as some non-Jain scribes, had already attempted a transcription with very unsatisfactory results… a large amount of the original knowledge had been lost to all but the most learned Jain monks.” (McDowell & Brown, World Religions at Your Fingertips, 2009) Debate and disagreement between the two main sects over the authentic original sutras (c.f. Anthology, p. 97)

Jainism Today Conclusion “If somebody is a real symbol of non-violence, love, compassion, peace, harmony, oneness, then he is a perfect Jain. We can’t convert any Jains, but you can convert your habits, your mind” Acharya Shri Sushil Kumar, a Jain “ambassador” to the world Acharya Tulsi began Anuvat Movement to enlist people of all faith and nationalities to commit themselves to anuvrats (small vows)

Key Terms in Review (1) Ahimsa - law of non-injury Ascetic/ asceticism - practice strict denial Dharma – right, moral code Karma – attachment to body & any action in body Samsara/ Reincarnation – soul migrating to next body Moksha/ Liberation –release from karmic cycle Jiva – soul Ajiva - matter Dualism – Jain’s worldview of Jiva and Ajiva Mahavira: Founder, means “great hero” Tirthankara-24 figures including founder whom they worship as saints

Key Terms in Review (2) Jana/ Jina – “conqueror” “winner” Jain – a practitioner of Jainism Moksha-release from cycle of birth, death Aparigraha - nonacquisitiveness Anekantwad – “manifold aspects” Jiva-soul, 1 of 2 principal parts of dualistic worldview Ajiva-matter, 1 of 2 principal parts of dualistic worldview Sect: religious group/sub-denom adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to leader; a party

Jainism Review: Origin The founder’s Name: Mahavira The Century: 6th cent. B.C.E. The Region/Country: India How it started: Man from wealthy class renounced his riches, joined up with ascetics, & decided to follow an even stricter form. After 12 yrs. He was “released” (moksha), & his followers called him Mahavira, “great hero”

Jainism Review: Unique Beliefs Summary Ultimate Goal: to break karmic cycle by strict ascetic life relying on self to achieve, not on gods Non-injury of living things (ahimsa) Dualistic view of world/universe: Jiva and Ajiva

Jainism Review: Beliefs (1) The soul clings to matter, the body (karma) Action also causes karma Attachment to things and/or people also adds karma Samsara, reincarnation is a cosmic law, caused by karma No living being is to be injured (ahimsa) Strict asceticism is the path to liberation Moksha (liberation) is achieved by one’s own individual effort without the help of deities or the Tirthankara The Tirthankaras are models of perfection and achieving the highest spiritual state

Jainism Review: Beliefs (2) Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara, founder of Jainism One who wins over the battle of the flesh, body, karma, and attachment, keeping dharma not avoiding karma by action, and achieves perfection is Jana/ Jina, a Jain The universe is a dualism of soul (Jiva) and matter (Ajiva) Jainism is open to any caste (Jainism is not based on the authority of the Vedas as Hinduism is; an alternative path)

Jainism Review: Practices Jainism Review: Practices Asceticism – a strict form of strict self-denial Ahimsa – to the extreme (includes vegetarianism Receiving/ “begging” for food Restraint from acquiring attachment (Aparigraha) Meditation Abiding by the Jain Vows Samayika – purifying the soul thru quiet prayer, chanting formulas Praying at Jain Temples and worshiping the Tirthankaras Attending Jain Festivals and making Pilgrimages

Discussion Questions What is a distinct teaching of Jainism? How does Jainism differ from Hinduism in beliefs and practices? How does Jainism compare to Hinduism in beliefs and practices? How might someone put the principle of ahimsa into practice in your own society? What are the main contributions of Jainism to world religions? Society?