religions of india: jainism. the religions of india 1. hinduism (1500/1200 b.c) 2....

RELIGIONS OF INDIA: JAINISM

THE RELIGIONS OF INDIA 1. HINDUISM (1500/1200 B.C) 2. BUDDHISM(6thcentury B.C) 3. JAINISM (6th century B.C) 4. SIKHISM(15/16th century A.D) (5. ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY)

=>ISLAM+HINDUISM = SIKHISM

Jains and Sikhs are not Hindu because: 1. They do not accept the authority of the Vedas, 2. They reject the authority of the Brahmin priesthood 3. They do not worship the Hindu Pantheon

=>However, they share many other religious concepts, values and beliefs with Hinduism.

Jains share with Hindus the belief in 1. Karma 2. Samsara 3. Reincarnation 4. Moksha 5. Yoga (meditation)

Like Hinduism, Jainism considers Karma and Reincarnation to be important religious concepts

But unlike Hinduism, Jainism pays little attention to deities. In this it is close to Buddhism

But unlike Buddhism, Jainism focused on extreme asceticism.

And unlike Sikhism and Islam, Jainism focused on radical non-violence.

The founder of Jainism was roughly a contemporary of the Buddha

Jainism appeared in the 6th century B.C., in northeastern India in reaction to changing conditions of Indian life and religious systems. This was a time of ferment, the era of the Buddha, the Upanishads, and new religions emerging to satisfy new religious needs.

This time was characterized by the growth of cities and their merchant class, and a decline in Vedic ritualism.

The Vedic religion of the ruling class was in crisis, because of its own contradictions, its structural injustice, its support for inequality and class oppression.

In the panorama of Hindu thought, Jainism turned away from the religion of the Brahmins, and rejected the hereditary priesthood, along with its bloody sacrifices, rituals, and caste system.

Jainism was constituted from non-Brahmanic, lay, and unorthodox themes.

Jainism also returned back to the religion of original Dravidian people of India, and integrated their pre-Aryan religious traditions.

The name JAIN means “follower of the victor.”

After 12 years of austere and disciplined life of meditation and asceticism, Mahavira, the founder of Jainism became “victor over his body and his passions” and gained enlightenment and Moksha.

While the Buddha called his path

the “Middle Way,” a calm spot of equilibrium between the

polarities of asceticism and hedonism,While Mahavira taught a way of

stern denial and control,

Jainism exemplifies, in the extreme, what in India is called KARMAMARGA, The Way of Works. Attaining Liberation through

rigorous personal discipline Fasting for long periods Meditating in the hot sun Enduring discomfort Control of the emotions (going naked): following the example of Mahavira, the founder of

Jainism, went about naked for many years! And many other ascetic techniques* Thus, the denial of the body (mortification)is taken to the extreme and made a key part of the faith.

Two fundamental Characteristics of Jainism

Jainism1. The religion of “Naked Saints.”

2. The Religion of asceticism and non-violence

par excellence.

CHARACTERISTICS OF JAINISM 1. * Urban Religion 2. * Religion of Merchants and bankers 3. Religion of Non-violence par excellence

(Radical Ahimsa) 4. Vegetarianism 5. “Animal rights” 6. Religion of “Naked Saints” 7. Religion of rigorous Asceticism.

AHIMSASince they believe that every living thing has a soul, they avoid injuring not only humans but every

living creature:

1. A Jain monk covers his face with a gauze mask or handkerchief to guard against breathing in (and thus killing) insects.

2. He carries a broom to sweep the path ahead of him to avoid stepping on any living beings.

3. At night Jains refrain from drinking water for fear of unintentionally swallowing a gnat.

4. Jains put screens around lamps to keep insects from flying into them.

5. Many Jain temples maintain homes for unwanted animals and hospitals for injured birds.

6. Jains are strict vegetarians:They refuse not only to eat meat but also to

use leather.

JAIN ETHICS

In principle, Jains are forbidden 1. To have any occupation that involves the

destruction of living beings (Ahimsa). 2. To eat meat or eggs (Jains are Vegetarians) 3. To farm the land: Even farming is taboo, since operations like tilling

the soil and weeding the crops may harm living creatures.

Jain Ethics: The 12 Vows (oaths)

Whereas monastics take only five vows, laymen affirm a longer list of 12 oaths, expanding those of the monastics:

1. Never intentionally take a life or destroy a jiva (soul or unit of life);

2. Never lie or exaggerate;3. Never steal;

4. Never be unfaithful to one’s spouse or think unchaste thoughts;

5. Limit oneself in the accumulation of wealth and give away all extra possessions - for example, contribute to the maintenance of animal hospitals or temples;

6. Limit chances of committing transgressions,

for example - impose limits on travel;

7. Limit the number of personal possessions;

8. Guard against unnecessary evils;

9. Observe periods of sinless meditation;

10. Observe special periods of personal (ascetic) limitation;

11. Spend some time living as a monastic;

12. And give alms to a monastic community.

2 TYPES OF JAINISM

< The DIGAMBARASJAINISM = < The SVETAMBARAS

< The STHANAKAVASI

The STHANAKAVASI Distinguished by its opposition to

Temples and Idols Sacred Scripture: Accepts only 33 Agamas as

authoritative (while other Jains accept as many as 84).

Started in 1473 A splinter group from Svetambara

Two types of Jainism

Jain monks are divided into two different orders: 1. The DIGAMBARAS, who are “sky-clad” or naked

in many settings, 2. The SVETAMBARAS, who wear a thin white robe.

1. The DIGAMBARAS conservative conservative small groupsmall group SexistSexist Refuse to believe that Mahavira was ever marriedRefuse to believe that Mahavira was ever married With NAKED MonksWith NAKED Monks live mainly in Southern Indialive mainly in Southern India

2. The SHVETAMBARAS LiberalsLiberals The largest group, the most popular.The largest group, the most popular. Open to womenOpen to women With monks who wear a thin white robe.With monks who wear a thin white robe. live mainly in northern Indialive mainly in northern India

1. DIGAMBARAS

This is the conservative branch of Jainism. They constitute a small group of radical “naked saints.” They are involved in a radical asceticism and detachment from

the material world. The Digambaras believe that

1. A true monk is 1. A true monk is ““sky cladsky clad”” (= without clothing)(= without clothing)

2. Women can be enlightened and 2. Women can be enlightened and liberated liberated only when they are reborn as menonly when they are reborn as men..

2. SHVETAMBARAS

This is the group of liberal monks and nuns. They are the more numerous Jains.

They are clothed in white garments

And believe that women can obtain liberation without being reborn as men.

Like Hinduism, Jainism considers Karma and Reincarnation to be important religious concepts

But unlike Hinduism, Jainism pays little attention to deities. In this it is close to Buddhism.

But unlike Buddhism, Jainism focused on extreme asceticism.

And unlike Sikhism and Islam, Jainism focused on radical non-violence.

Jain asceticism is closely linked to a second principle, the doctrine of AHIMSA: noninjury of any living being.

Characteristics of Jainism: 1. Jainism is the religion of asceticism par excellence. 2. Virtually all Jains are strict Vegetarians. 3. They were the first advocates of “animal rights,” that

have become popular in the West only in recent years. Many Jain temples maintain homes for unwanted animals and hospitals for injured birds.

4. Jains are famous for their emphasis on radical non-violence: Ahimsa is the essence of spirituality and the sine qua non condition for liberation (Kaivalya)

GREAT ASCETICISM AND STRUGGLE

The ideal of conquering through great struggle is pervasive in Jain literature.

The very word JAIN is derived from JINAS meaning “conquerors” or “victors.”

Jains believe that their founder Mahavira was the last in a series of TIRTHANKARAS (“Crossing-Makers”) who attained full liberation from the material predicament and taught the way to it. These men are honored as the greatest of JINAS.

Thus the Jain’s notion of conquest or victory is not a triumph over a human enemy. Here the foe is oneself and one’s own material nature, which can be defeated by perseverance in asceticism or self-denial.

This Jain’s focus on the theme of spiritual struggle is reflected in the religious art.

While Hinduism has dancing and flute-playing deities, Jainism portrays the Tirthankaras as heroically rigid immobile figures over which vines have extended their tendrils.

a religion of Asceticism par excellence. Jains practice austerity in order to purify the self, and

then attain KAIVALYA (Liberation of the soul from the material predicament)

AHIMSA, VEGETARIANISM, AND CARE FOR ANIMALS:

Jain asceticism is closely linked to a second principle,

the doctrine of AHIMSA: harmlessness or noninjury of any living being.

Foundation of Ahimsa

Jain’s doctrine of Ahimsa and Vegetarianism is founded in its cosmology and anthropology which are summarized in the notion of “Jiva”

Jainism teaches that sentient, feeling life dwells in all that exists - gods, humans, animals, plants, even stones, dust, and air.

These “Jivas” (souls or particles of life) are entrapped in the material shells of these substances as a result of Karma.