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Ahimsa and asceticism are the defining characteristics of Jainism

Ahimsa Means nonviolence Is an ethical principal observed by Jains

Religious life is primarily the avoidance of harming their fellow creatures, a broad category that comprises humans and animals (including insects)

Asceticism The renunciation of physical pleasures and

worldly attachments for the sake of spiritual advancement

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While the Buddha spoke very little about cosmology, Mahavira described the universe in abundant detail.

Through the omniscience of kevala, Mahavira knew everything regarding the makeup of the universe

The universe is called Loka Is a space that is finite

yet almost indescribably vast

Is eternal: it was never created and will never come to an end

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Is depicted as having the shape of a giant man In the center is the Middle Realm: home to several worlds

(including our own) inhabited by human beings Below the Middle Realm are hells inhabited by hell beings Above the Middle Realm are heavens inhabited by deities

Many of the gods and goddesses of Hinduism are also acknowledged by Jains

Deities provide certain forms of material welfare, such as cures for illnesses

Deities cannot assist with the quest for salvation because they are bound to samsara and must first be reborn as human beings to have any hope for release- so this is a temporary condition

At the very top of the Loka is a roof in the shape of an umbrella

This is the realm of liberated souls, such as those of Mahavira and the rest of the tirthankaras

These souls are eternally freed, never again to be reborn

There is nothing outside Loka but strong winds

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Jains believe that salvation of the soul depends on understanding the makeup of the universe

The Jain universe passes through cycles that are depicted as turning of a wheel

As the wheel turns upward, the quality of each world improves As the wheel turns downward, all things gradually decay,

eventually reaching a state of utter destruction At this point, the next cycle begins

The wheel continues turning like this forever Each upward and downward turning of the wheel is divided into

six ages, each ages lasts 21 thousand yrs. This world is presently in the fifth age nearing the end of the

downward turn People are meaner now People lack the moral or spiritual competence to attain

salvation The best the humans of this age can hope for is a good

rebirth- preferably as a human in a different world where salvation is possible

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The loka is inhabited by two distinct types: jivas and ajiva Jivas (Jiva=soul)

Living things Perfectly pure Matter is impure For reasons that are beyond explanation, souls have

become entwined with matter and are no longer pure The religious quest for salvation is for the jiva to make

itself clean Ajiva

Nonliving things – consists of space, time, motion, all forms of matter, impure

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All jivas are equal in size and quality in their original state

The soul of an ant is identical to that of an elephant

Only the bodies (the forms of matter) they inhabit differ

There are two life-forms1. Stationary- plants2. Moving – insects and animals

The life-form into which a person is born depends on the status of the soul- whether karma has made it heavy or light with matter

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All Jains are vegetarian and fasting is a common ritual

The religious life of Jainism is divided into two categories

1. Laypeople The vast majority of Jains remain

laypeople Remain members of Indian society Are not nearly involved with ascetic

practices 2. Monks and nuns (known as ascetics)

Are the idea type for all Jains Are famous for their rigorous self-denial

and deliberate detachment from all aspects of society

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Shvetambaras “Those whose garment is

white” Use bowls when begging for

food More liberal group Believe that nuns can

attain kevala Believe food is still

necessary even after kevala is attained

Digambaras “Those whose garment is the

sky”◦ Naked or “sky clad”

Not nuns◦ Use only hands when begging

for food More conservative Believe a woman must be

reborn as a man before kevala can be possible

Believe that food is not necessary once kevala is attained

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Minimum age 8 for shvetambaras Young adulthood for Digambaras

Ceremony Conducted by a teacher Repeats vows Receives an alms bowl

For food Receives a whisk

To sweep away any living thing in its path Pulling out 5 tufts of hair

Signifies renunciation of sexual life Fasting Once initiated, the ascetics own nothing

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5 great Vows for Jains1. Do not injure other life-forms

2. Avoid lying

3. Do not take what has not been given

4. Renounce sexual activity

5. Renounce possession Laypeople observe 12 vows

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