JainismBy

Bradley GloverRachel Patterson

Cece ZepedaCorey Bruemmer

Essential Questions What is the Human Condition?

According to Jainism, people are caught in an endless death-rebirth cycle called Samsara, which is laden with ignorance and suffering. The Jiva (soul) is trapped in Samsara and is anchored to the world of Ajiva (the world of matter) by our Karma.

Where are we going? After death, we will experience either a favorable or

unfavorable rebirth based on our collective Karma, or we can achieve Moksha (liberation) of the Jiva from the Ajiva and be freed from the cycle of Samsara.

How do we get there? Leading an ascetic life Attaining Kevala (a pure, omniscient consciousness) Following the teachings of the Mahavira and the Five

Great Vows

Doctrines & Beliefs Twenty-three figures preceded Mahavira; known as

Tirthankaras Forged this life and Nirvana

Mahavira, 24th and last Tirthankara Severe asceticism required to release soul in life Ahimsa (non-injury to life)

Life is endless reincarnation Karma: result of the buildup of an individual's

activity To escape: Do as little as possible

Dualistic Nature: Matter (ajiva): lifeless, material, evil Soul (jiva): eternal, valuable

Doctrines & Beliefs Severe asceticism: torturing the “evil flesh” is the only way to

Moksha (release) Gods are acknowledged, but not relied upon Five Great Vows:

Ahimsa (non-injury to life) To always speak the truth Refrain from taking anything not given to them Renounce sexual pleasures Renounce all attachments

Doctrines & Beliefs By 80 BCE, Jains were severely divided over the true meaning of

Jainism, thus split into two sects Svetambara (“the white-clad”)

Northern part of India Liberal in interpretation “white-clad” because they reject the necessity of

nudity Digambara (“sky-clad”)

Southern India Adhere to old ideals Require their monks to go about nearly nude; nudity

reserved for those of greatest holiness In 1473, Sthanakavasi group arose out of Svetambara

Reject temples and idols

Religious Experience Two distinct groups

Majority: the laity Minority: the monks and nuns

40,000 temples in India to worship Tirthankaras Many rituals in the home

Reciting the names of the Jinas (saints from the past) Bathing idols Offering flowers and perfumes Meditation and observance of vows during their worship

The Five Great Vows: Generally, all Jains follow the first three; monks keep all five Basic principle of Jainism, all other aspects are secondary

Religious Experience Laity may marry and have a family and possessions – may not

expect release Conversion: there is no ritual; one becomes a Jain by adopting

the vows Views towards women:

Mahavira - “women are the greatest temptation in the world”

Svetambara – very accepting of women (monasteries, release)

Digambara – aligned with Mahavira No chance of release Greatest temptation to man Prohibited from entering monasteries and temples Refuse Mahavira's marriage

Sacred Texts Tattvartha Sutra

Acharya Umaswati - 2nd century BCE Bring together the elements of the Jain path Regarded as most authoritative text in Jainism

Agamas Based on Mahavira's teachings Composed around 6th to 3rd century BCE Consists of many sutras Written in various languages

Kalpa Sutra Biographies of Jain Tirthankaras Bhadrabahu I - ~377 BCE Read during Paryushan

Rituals The Navkar Mantra is the fundamental prayer

Gesture of respect to spiritually advanced beings

Purpose of worship is to break worldly attachments and desires

Avashyakas (six obligatory duties) Smayika (practicing serenity) Chaturvimshati (praising the Tirthankara) Vandn (respecting teachers and monks) Pratikramana (introspection) Kayotsarga (stillness) Pratyakhayana (renunciation)

Rituals Paryushana

One of the most important festivals for Jains Lasts 8-10 days Comes at the time when wandering monks take up

temporary residence for four months of monsoon The laity take on vows of study and fasting similar to

monasticism Reading of the Kalpa Sutra

Mahavira Jayanti Birthday of Mahavira (the last Tirthankara) Celebrated the thirteenth day in the month of Chaitra

(late March or early April) Diwali

Takes place during Kartik around the full moon day (Oct. or Nov.)

Celebrates the enlightenment of Lord Mahavira

Rituals Fasting

Fasting is done with most festivals Sallekhana: holy fast to death

Meditation Samayika: achieve a feeling of perfect calmness and

understand one's self Assists in managing and balancing one's passions Emphasis on internal control of thought

Monasticism Encouraged and respected Wander from place to place barefoot Don't use phones or electricity or other basic things

Ethics and Moral Conduct Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 Gujarat State Assembly passed Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill

to amend anti-conversion act Mandates Jainism and Buddhism as denominations of Hinduism

Allows conversion between different sects of the same faith as well as between Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism

Discredits Jainism as a religion Met with protest from the Jain community

Ethics and Moral Conduct Jain monk Mitranadsagar:

“Jainism is an independent religion and the bill passed by the Gujarat government is against the constitution of the country”

“Jainism has been accorded the status of an independent religion by the Constitution. The Jain religion has no relation with Hinduism. Jainism existed even before the term Hinduism was coined in the history of Aryavrat”

Bill was withdrawn March 10, 2008 Gujarat Governor Sharma found it to be violative of

the Constitution The motion to withdraw the bill was put to vote and

passed unanimously