Introduction to Jainism

by Aura

jainism.jpgJainism may be a ‘minority’ religion with over four million followers, but it is another one of the world’s oldest religions, with its beginnings found in India.

Origins: “Jainism traces its roots to a succession of 24 Jinas (”those who overcome”, or conqueror) in ancient East India. The first Jina is traditionally believed to have been a giant who lived 8.4 million years ago. The most recent and last Jina was Vardhamana (a.k.a. Mahavira, “The Great Hero”) He was born in 550 BCE) and was the founder of the Jain community. He attained enlightenment after 13 years of deprivation. In 420 BCE, he committed the act of salekhana which is fasting to death. Each Jina has “conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion, and has thereby freed `his’ soul from the karmas obscuring knowledge, perception, truth, and ability…” [Source]

Beliefs: Followers of Jainism believe that all living beings have a soul and that we are all responsible for our own souls - jivas. Compassion to all life is very important to Jainism and not only is killing absolutely abhorrent but vegetarianism is quite common. Jainism also has the belief in reincarnation in which a soul (jiva) is transferred to the next body immediately upon death. That body can be human or animal. Deliverance from the cycle of reincarnation is achieved when a soul is freed from all karma.

God: “Jains view God as the unchanging traits of the pure soul of each living being, chiefly described as Infinite Knowledge, Perception, Consciousness, and Happiness (Ananta JnÄ?na, Ananta Darshana, Ananta CÄ?ritra, and Ananta Sukha). Jains do not believe in an omnipotent supreme being, creator or manager (kartÄ?), but rather in an eternal universe governed by natural laws.” [Source]

Principles:Followers of Jainism are expected to follow five principles of living:

Ahimsa: “non violence in all parts of a person — mental, verbal and physical.” 3 Committing an act of violence against a human, animal, or even vegetable generates negative karma which in turn adversely affects one’s next life.

Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood

Asteya: to not steal from others

Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one’s spouse only

Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence, restricting one’s needs, etc.

Other sources of information:
Jainism @ Wikipedia
Jainism @ Religious Tolerance
Jainism.Org
Jainism @ BBC


Posted in Religion on April 4th, 2008

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