1. Chapter Five
Part 1—Jainism

2. Origins of Jainism
Tirthankaras—24 great people who have reached perfection and serve as role-models
Rishaba – 1st Tirthankara
Nemi – 22nd Tirthankara
Parshva – 23rd Tirthankara
Mahavira – 24th Tirthankara
Outsiders consider Mahavira the founder of Jainism
Mahavira’s name was Nataputta Vardhamana
Mahivira is a title of respect meaning “great man” or “hero”
May have been a contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama

3. Life of Mahavira Life surrounded by legend
Born into aristocratic family or noble clan
Some say married and had a child; some say not
Left home at about age 30 to become wandering holy man
Embraced extreme asceticism and extreme detachment and extreme ahimsa
At age 42 had an experience of liberation—felt freedom from all bondage of the world
Spent 30 years teaching doctrines and establishing an order of naked monks—died at age 72

4. Jain World View and Beliefs
Comparison and contrast with Hinduism and Buddhism
Like Buddhism, rejected aspects of Hinduism:
Caste system, authority of priests, authority of Vedas
Like Buddhism, accepted aspects of Hinduism
Meditation, self-purification, karma, reincarnation, ahimsa
Contrast of degrees with Buddhist “middle way”
Extreme asceticism, sought nakedness, poverty, etc.
Sallenkhana—holy death, starving to death as extreme nonattachment, the “final fast”

5. Jain World View and Beliefs
Rejects belief in Creator God, stating that the universe is eternal and always changing
Hylozoism—belief that everything is full of life and capable of suffering
See life and consciousness where others do not, in fire, rocks and water
Dualism—belief that there are two intermixed types of reality
Jiva—spirit, soul or life
Ajiva—nonsoul, nonlife

6. Jain World View and Beliefs
Humans composed of two parts
Material side seeks pleasure, escape from pain, self-interests
Spiritual side seeks freedom and escape from bondage to the material world
Humans are the only creatures to understand their dual nature and be able to achieve liberation from the physical world.
Belief in reincarnation and karma
Goal of Jainism is total liberation from the physical world so they can live in the highest realm where the tirthankaras are thought to be

7. Jain Ethical Recommendations
Ahimsa—harmlessness or gentleness
The foundation of Jain ethics
Taken to extremes
Nonlying—avoiding all falsehood and exaggeration
Absolute truth is impossible due to subjectivity
Nonstealing—stealing causes harm to others
Chastity
For monks and nuns, complete celibacy
For laypeople, sexual fidelity and avoiding all harm to others
Nonattachment—to family, possessions, etc.
For monks and nuns, severe restrictions
For laypeople, cultivate generosity and limit possessions to what is truly necessary

8. Jain Practices
Acts of devotion, especially to Tirthankaras, not emphasized but accepted by most Jains
Seen as helping devotees karma and focus, not as gaining assistance from the Tirthankaras
Fasting
Monks and nuns regularly
Laypeople during special times
Paryusana—celebration of new year
Pilgrimages
To place of Mahavira’s death
Celebrations of Mahavira’s birthday and the day of his liberation

9. Branches of Jainism Digambaras—“clothed in sky”
Southern branch, most conservative
Monks go nude; everything must be renounced
No women in monastic life
Emphasis on celibacy, reject tradition that Mahavira married
Shvetambaras—“clothed in white”
Northern branch
Monks dress in white robes
Allows women in monastic life
Accepts tradition of Mahavira’s marriage

10. Branches of Jainism
Sthanakavasis—name refers to simple buildings in which they meet
Started from reform movement
Oppose practice of veneration of statues of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras
Do not use temples or images
Terapanthis—name means “thirteen”
Another reform movement
Founded by Acharya Bikshu, aka Swami Bhikkanji Maharaj
Reject the use of images
Belief in hierarchical structure with a supreme guru in charge
Strict in practices, focus on spreading religion

11. Jain Scriptures
The Purvas—ancient scripture, no longer in existence, quoted in later works
Disagreement of sects on canon
Shvetembara—45 works, some canonical, some not
11 Angas “limbs”—the teachings of Mahavira
12 Upangas “lesser limbs”—collection of laws & rituals
Noncanonical—biographies, commentaries, etc.
Digambara—does not fully accept the Angas as authentic
Sthanakavasis does not recognize any scripture