Chapter 5: JainismChapter 5: JainismRELS 110: World ReligionsRELS 110: World Religions

Slide 2.

Time Line: The “axial age” in India

Time Line: The “axial age” in India

1500 BCE: Rig Veda 1000-500: Upanishads 6th Century: Jainism 5th Century: Buddhism 400BCE-200CE: Ramayana

The “axial age” wasn’t just in India, but also Greece, Israel, Persia, China.

A variety of traditions, some Brahmanic,

some non-Brahmanic

These two are anti-Brahmanic: rites are of no effect.

Slide 3.

Jainism: TopicsJainism: Topics

• The Tirthankaras and ascetic orders• Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars• Spiritual practices• World Jainism

Slide 4.

Jainism OverviewJainism Overview

• Indian religion not grounded in the Vedas• does not officially acknowledge the caste

system.• an ascetic path, Jainism is practiced in its

fullest by (celibate) monks and nuns.

Slide 5.

3 basic Jain assumptions about the universe

3 basic Jain assumptions about the universe

• 1. law of karma applies to all living things• 2. ahimsa (non-violence) is the only

escape from samsara• 3. can’t depend on priestly caste, ritual

sacrifice, fate, or deities.

Slide 6.

Key termsKey terms

• ahimsa• anekantwad• aparigraha• Digambara• jiva• muni• Svetambara• Tirthankaras

Slide 7.

TimelineTimeline

Time

• before c. 777 BCE

• 599-527 BCE

• from 3rd century BCE

• 1914-1997 CE

• 1970s-1980s CE

Event

• Series of 23 Tirthankaras

• Life of Mahavira

• Digambaras and Svetambaras diverge

• Acharya Tulsi

• Jain monks establish Jain centers outside India

Slide 8.

MahaviraMahavira• Mahavira (“great hero”)• given name was

Vardhamana, • born a kshatriya,• Teacher of Jainism in

the 6th century BCE.• twenty-fourth of the

Tirthankaras, or “fordmakers”

• Implication: Jainism began long before Mahavira.

Slide 9.

Akaranga SutraAkaranga SutraOnce when he [sat in meditation], his body unmoving, they cut his flesh, tore his hair, and covered him with dirt. They picked him up and then dropped him, disturbing his meditational postures. Abandoning concern for his body, free from desire, the Venerable One humbled himself and bore the pain.

Slide 10.

Two ascetic ordersTwo ascetic ordersthe Digambaras, • wear no clothes; • Women can’t be naked,

so one must be born a male to attain liberation

The Svetambaras, • wear white robes; • both males and females

are capable of liberation.

Deeksha ceremony - joining the Jain monkhoodhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zei_s3cFKg

Deeksha ceremony - joining the Jain monkhoodhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zei_s3cFKg

Slide 12.

Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars

Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars

• Like Hinduism, Jainism maintains belief in samsara.

• One who attains the highest purity in their being is called Jina, winner.

• Jainism is a religion of hope, believing the Jiva, soul, has the capacity to save itself.

Slide 13.

KarmaKarma• shares concept of karma

with Hinduism and Buddhism• karma is subtle matter that

accumulates and clings to us as we think and act.

• all karma must be eliminated to attain kevala, the highest state of perfection.

• three principles to avoid karma:

• Ahimsa• Aparigraha, • Anekantwad.

Ahimsa Non-Violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7S44nIvhs

Ahimsa Non-Violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7S44nIvhs

Jainism’s influence on Gandhi (36:29-43:25=7min)

Jainism’s influence on Gandhi (36:29-43:25=7min)

Questions:1.To what extent was Gandhi influenced by Jainism rather than Hinduism?

2.Hinduism rather than Jainism?

3.What do we admire about Gandhi?

Slide 16.

Ahimsa: Non-violence.Ahimsa: Non-violence.• All life should not be

injured.• Our ultimate aim

should be to cause as little harm as possible to other creatures

• What are some of the hazards Jains must avoid in order to practice nonviolence?

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....Correctly understanding the law, one should arrive at indifference for the impressions of the senses, and not act on the motives of the world. (Akangara Sutra 1.)

Slide 17.

Aparigraha: non-attachmentAparigraha: non-attachment

• non-acquisitiveness is the way to inner liberation, and is valuable for the world.

• relate Jainism to modern ecological theories and environmental crises.

Slide 18.

Anekantvad: “manifold aspects.”

Anekantvad: “manifold aspects.”

• remain open-minded and avoid judgmentalism.

• issues can be seen from many different angles because truth has many facets.

Slide 20.

Spiritual practicesSpiritual practices• Jain monks and nuns

are celibate, practice physical penance and fasting, and have few possessions.

• Jain laypeople lead simple lives.

• homes are kept clean• vegetarians• successful at work• philanthropists

Slide 21.

Spiritual practicesSpiritual practices

• 12 “limited” vows, 5 most important:• non-violence• Truthfulness• not taking anything that has not been given• renouncing any sexual activity outside marriage• limiting one’s possessions.

Slide 22.

Jain WorshipJain Worship• May or may not

worship at temples• temples have images of

the Tirthankaras• Worship does not

include supplication or many priestly activities

• Ideally Jains worship without expecting personal response or help.

Slide 23.

Festivals and pilgrimagesFestivals and pilgrimages• holy days celebrated with

• Meditation• Renunciation• Fasting• scriptural study• Hymns

• Divali (a Hindu celebration), celebrated with a three-day fast and an entire night reciting hymns and meditating on Mahavir.

• Paryushan Mahaparva: an annual festival of atonement.

• an eight-day fast, followed by a final Forgiveness Day

• pilgrimages to sacred sites, many in state of Bihar.

Slide 24.

World JainismWorld Jainism• Jainism remained within

India for most of its history

• Acharya Tulsi initiated new orders of semi-monks and nuns and carried it to the world.

• started the Anuvrat (“small vow”) Movement to encourage people of all faiths to cultivate strong moral standards.

• avoid willful killing ofany innocent creature,

• refrain from attacks and aggression and to work insteadfor world peace and disarmament,

• avoid discrimination on the basis of caste or race,

• eschew religious intolerance, • avoid false business and

political practices, • limit acquisition of possessions, • eschew addictive substances, • avoid wasting water or cutting

down trees.

Slide 25.

Jainism and Modern Western Culture

Jainism and Modern Western Culture

• What in Jainism is relevant to modern issues?• Ahimsa?• Aparigraha?• Anekantwad?• What is good about Jainism?• In a Materialist perspective?• In a Functional perspective?• In a Belief perspective?

• Could you be a Jain?• What would be the obstacles?