JAINISM A RELIGION OF NONVIOLENCE &

AUSTERITY

Presented By:

•Kritika Goyal (19061)

ORIGIN:• Jainism is a syncretistic religion, which contains many

elements similar to Hinduism and Buddhism. The world's almost 4 million Jains are almost entirely located in India.

• Founded in 6th century B.C. by Vardhaman Mahavira who was the 24th Tirthankara or the religious guru of Jains in ancient East India.

• The name “jain” derives from Sanskrit word “ji” which means “to conquer”. It aims at the victory of jain followers over body passions and senses.

Digambar and Shwetambar traditions:

• The Jain Dharma is divided into two major sects, Digambar and Shwetambar.

• Digambar monks do not wear clothes because ‘dig’ means ‘disha’ i.e. the direction and they believe the directions (dishayein) are their clothes.

• Shwetambar monks wear white clothes because ‘shwet’ means ‘white’.

Principle• "Samyakdarshangyancharitrani

Mokshmargasya" is the fundamental principle of Jainism.

It means: "True Perception, True/Right Knowledge and True/Right Conduct " is the path to attain Moksha.

BELIEFS At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great

vows:

• Nonviolence (Ahimsa) not to cause harm to any living being.

• Truthfulness (Satya) to speak the harmless truth only.

• Non-stealing (Achaurya/Asteya) not to take anything not properly given.

• Chastity (Brahmacharya) not to indulge in sensual pleasure.

• Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) complete detachment from people, places, and material things.

PRAYER• Namo Arihantanam: I bow to the arithantas - the ever-

perfect spiritual victors

• Namo Siddhanam: I bow to the siddhas - the liberated souls

• Namo Ayariyanam: I bow to acharyas - the leaders of the jain order

• Namo Uvajjayanam: I bow to upadhyayas - the learned preceptors

• Eso Panch Namukkaro: This five-fold salutation

• Savva Pavappanasano: Destroys all sins

• Mangalanam Cha Savvesim: And amongst all auspicious things

• Padhamam Havai Mangalam :Is the most auspicious one

JAIN PHILOSOPHYPrimarily Jainism assumes that the universe is

without a beginning or an end, being everlasting

and eternal. The wheel of time incessantly revolves

like a pendulum. In the first half circle it revolves

from the descending to the ascending stage

where human prosperity, happiness, and life span

increases and in the second half circle it revolves

from the ascending stage to the descending stage where prosperity, happiness, and life span

decreases

•There exist six fundamental entities in the universe, which are eternal but continuously undergo countless changes. During the changes nothing is lost or destroyed. Everything is recycled into another form.

•The six universal substances are:Soul or Consciousness

Jiva Living Substance

Matter Pudgal Non Living Substance

Medium of Motion Dharma Non Living Substance

Medium of Rest Adharma Non Living Substance

Space Akasa Non Living Substance

Time Kal or Samay Non Living Substance

•The nine tattvas are the single most important subject of Jain philosophy. It deals with the theory of karma, which provides the basis for the path of liberation (moksha).

•The Nine Principles (Tattvas) are:

JivaSoul or living being (Consciousness)

Ajiva Non-living substances

AsravaCause of the influx of karma

Bandha Bondage of karma

Punya Virtue

Papa Sin

SamvavaStoppage of the influx of karma

Nirjara Exhaustion of the accumulated

karma Moksha Total liberation from karma

Jains are recommended to pass through four stages during their lifetime:

•Brahmacharya-ashrama: the life of a student.

•Gruhasth-ashrama: family life

•Vanaprasth-ashrama: family and social services

•Sanyast-ashrama: life as a monk, a period of renunciation.

 

Jain Symbols• OM (Aum) Om is a religious symbol. In

Jainism it means wholeness of Panch Parmeshthi. Om is Aum in Sanskrit. This Aum of Sanskrit is made up of five alphabets - a + a + ā + u + m = Aum    'a' stands for Arihant'a' stands for  Ashariri'ā' stands for  Acharya'u' stands for  Upadhyay’m' stands for  Muni

The Jain Flag:Jin-Shaasan Flag has Five colours: White, Red, Orange, Green and Dark Blue (or Black).

White represents ArihantRed represents SiddhaOrange represents AcharyaGreen represents UpadhyayDark Blue (Black) represents SadhuIn the centre of the flag is the Swastik. Swastik represents the four states of existence of life. Respect for Jain Flag is respect for Panch-Parmeshthi. Respect for Panch-Parmeshthi destroys the sorrow of the four states of existence and finally guides us to our sweet home of infinite bliss and pleasure.

Thank You

(MicchamiDukkadam )

For your serious and patient listening