1. Jainism
Chapter 4

2. Jainism in Images

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. Life of Founder of Jainism (1)
Nataputta Vardhamana
Most date his life 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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)

29. 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)

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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”

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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)

36. 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

37. 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?