anouk jurgens's List: Jainism

• a religion of India that teaches  a path to spiritual purity and  enlightenment through a disciplined mode of life founded upon the tradition of ahimsa,  nonviolence to all living creatures. Beginning in the 7th–5th century BCE, Jainism evolved into a cultural  system that has made significant  contributions to Indian philosophy and logic, art and architecture, mathematics, astronomy and astrology, and literature. Along with Hinduism and Buddhism, it is one of the three most ancient Indian  religious traditions still in  existence.
• the Jain tradition must be regarded as an independent phenomenon.
• Precise statistics are not available, but it is estimated that there are roughly four million Jains in India and 100,000 elsewhere.
  

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• Jainism originated in the 7th–5th century  BCE in the Ganges basin of eastern India, the scene of intense religious speculation and activity at that time.

• The first Jain figure for whom there is reasonable historical evidence is Parshvanatha (or Parshva), a renunciant teacher who may have lived in the 7th century BCE and founded a community based upon the abandonment of worldly concerns. Jain tradition regards him as the 23rd Tirthankara  (literally, “Ford-maker,” i.e., one who leads the way across the stream of  rebirths to salvation) of the  current age (kalpa). The 24th and last Tirthankara of this age was Vardhamana, who is known by the  epithet Mahavira (“Great  Hero”) and is believed to have been the last teacher of “right” knowledge,  faith, and practice. Although traditionally dated to 599–527 BCE, Mahavira must be regarded as a close  contemporary of the Buddha  (traditionally believed to have lived in 563–483 BCE but who probably flourished about a century later). The legendary accounts of  Mahavira's life preserved by  the Jain scriptures provides the basis for his biography and enable some  conclusions to be formulated about the nature of the early community he founded.

• Founded in the 5th century BC by Vardhamma Mahavira  "(Mathematician") (599-527), at the same time than Buddhism,, though actually he  was not the founder of Jainism,  but he reformed and refined previous teachings of the Jaina  tradition.
  
  
• Buddhism is the "middle way", Jainism is the "most strict  religion"
  with two Traditions or Denominations:  
      1- The "Diganbara" (naked) are monks and nuns with  vow of "nudity", usually living in monasteries.
      2- The  "Svatembara" (white-robed).

• They have 6 rules:
      1-  Destroy no life.
      2- Do not lie.
      3-  Practice charity.
      4- Practice  chastity.
      5- Posses nothing, want  nothing.
      6- Devotion of whole life to task (Moshka).  
  
      Like Buddhism, it is a rebellion against Hindu  life: No gods, no priests, no caste system... but they have the Law of Karma  and Reincarnation.

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• The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are  the canonical literature - the scriptures - of Svetambara Jainism.

   

  Mahavira's disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised  them to pass on to future generations.

   

  The texts had to be memorised since Jain monks and nuns were not allowed to  possess religious books as part of their vow of non-acquisition, nor were they  allowed to write.

   

  Jain theology developed after Mahavira through the teachings of particularly  learned monks - these teachings too, had to be memorised - and so the amount  that the monks had to remember steadily increased.

• Unfortunately many of the original teachings of Mahavira have been lost.

• Jains don't regard Mahavira as the founder of their religion, so his words  aren't of importance because he said them, but because they:

   

  represent a series of beginningless, endless and fixed truths, a  tradition without any origin, human or divine, which in this world age has been  channelled through Sudharman, the last of Mahavira's disciples to  survive.

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• Mahavira Jayanti

   

  This festival celebrates the day of Mahavira's birth.

   

  Jains will gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of  Mahavira.

   

  Images of Mahavira are paraded through the streets with much pomp and  ceremony.

   

  Paryushana

   

  The word 'Paryushana' means 'to stay in one place', which signifies a time of  reflection and repentance for the Jain devotee. Originally this was primarily a  monastic practice.

   

  This festival consists of eight days of intensive fasting, repentance and  pujas. Often monks will be invited to give teachings from the Jain  scriptures.

   

   

  Digambra Jain Paryushana celebrations at a temple in Bulawadi, Mumbai ©

   

  Divali

   

  This festival is celebrated throughout all of India.

   

  In Jainism it has special significance, as on this day in 527 BCE (according  to Svetambara tradition) that Mahavira gave his last teachings and attained  ultimate liberation.

   

  On Divali parents will often give sweets to their children, and lamps are lit  all over India. Some very religious Jains will also fast for the two days of  Divali, following the example of Mahavira.

   

  Kartak Purnima

   

  Following Divali in October/November is an important festival called Kartak  Purnima. This is considered to be an auspicious time for pilgrimage to the  sacred sites associated with the Jain religion.

   

  Mauna Agyaras

   

  This is a day-long observance of fasting and silence. Jains also meditate on  the five great beings.

• <tr><br/><td width="100%" valign="top"><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">The <br/>universe exists as a series of layers, both heavens and hells. It had no <br/>beginning and will have no ending. It consists of: &lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tbody><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>The supreme abode</strong>: This is <br/>located at the top of the universe and is where Siddha, the liberated souls, <br/>live.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>The upper world</strong>: 30 heavens <br/>where celestial beings live.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Middle world</strong>: the earth and <br/>the rest of the universe.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Nether world</strong>: 7 hells with <br/>various levels of misery and <br/>punishments&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>The Nigoda</strong>, or base: where <br/>the lowest forms of life reside&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Universe space</strong>: layers of <br/>clouds which surround the upper <br/>world&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Space beyond</strong>: an infinite <br/>volume without soul, matter, time, medium of motion or medium of rest.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--></tbody></table>&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Everyone is bound within the universe by <br/>one's <b>karma</b> (the accumulated good and evil that one has done).&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><b>Moksha</b> (liberation from an endless <br/>succession of lives through reincarnation) is achieved by enlightenment, which <br/>can be attained only through <br/>asceticism.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">They are expected to follow five principles <br/>of living: &lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tbody><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Ahimsa:</strong> "<em>non violence <br/>in all parts of a person -- mental, verbal and physical.</em>" <br/>_{<strong>3</strong>}Committing an act of violence against a human, <br/><br/>animal, or even vegetable generates<br/> <br/>negative karma which in turn adversely affects one's next <br/>life.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Satya:</strong> speaking truth; <br/>avoiding falsehood&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Asteya:</strong> to not steal from <br/>others&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Brahma-charya:</strong> (soul <br/>conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one's spouse <br/>only&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica"><strong>Aparigraha:</strong> detach from <br/>people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive <br/>material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence, restricting one's needs, <br/>etc.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--></tbody></table>&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Jains follow a <br/>vegetarian diet. (At least one<br/> <br/>information source incorrectly states that <br/>they follow a frutarian diet<br/> <br/>-- the <br/>practice of only eating that which will not kill the<br/> <br/>plant or animal from which it is taken. e.g. <br/>milk, fruit, nuts.)<br/>&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">They often read their sacred texts daily.&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="13" width="15" height="15" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Jains are recommended to pass through four <br/>stages during their lifetime: &lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tbody><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Brahmacharya-ashrama: the life of a student&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Gruhasth-ashrama: family <br/>life&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Vanaprasth-ashrama: family and social <br/>services&lt;!--mstheme--></font>&lt;!--msthemelist--></td></tr>&lt;!--msthemelist--><br/><tr><br/><td width="42" valign="baseline"><img hspace="15" width="12" height="12" alt="bullet" src="http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul2d.gif"></td><br/><td width="100%" valign="top">&lt;!--mstheme--><font face="trebuchet ms,arial,helvetica">Sanyast-ashrama: life as a monk; a period of <br/>renunciation</font></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>

  • Key terms of jainism
•  The  Digambaras (literally "sky clad" or naked): Their monks carry asceticism  to the point of rejecting even clothing (even when they appear in public).
  <!--mstheme--><!--msthemelist--><!--msthemelist-->   <!--mstheme-->The Shvetambaras (literally "white  clad"): their monks wear simple white robes. The laity are permitted to wear  clothes of any color.
• 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..."

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