World Religions, Wk 17 –Comparing Jainism to

Full gospel beliefs

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India – Birthplace of Many Religions

The India is the birthplace of Seven of the world's

major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism,

Sikhism and Jainism.

Picture is of the Ranakapur, Jain Temple in the state of

Rajasthan

Modern India’s Population

1.3B in 2019, 3X USA’s pop.

Size;1.269M Sq. miles

(1/3rd USA size)

USA: ~ 3.8M Sq Miles

JANISM’S SYMBOL

• Outline represents the shape of the universe

(loka)

• Raised hand means stop and think

• Word in the wheel is “Ahinsä”; means non-

violence.

• Swastika are the four cycles of birth and death

• The three dots are the three jewels of Jainism:

right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct in

order to achieve liberation.

Jainism

• Often times called the “most peaceful religion in the world”

• They purposely will not hurt anything

• Currently 5.4 Million persons practices Jainism, mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat; which is NW India next to Pakistan.

• Jain temples contain images of tirthankaras; either in seated meditation, or standing. A seated image or images is usually the focus of a temple’s interior

• Jains build temples, usually of marble, and install images of the Tirthankaras. They come to the temples, the centers of their religious and social activity, for meditation, worship, and festivals.

Words Specific to Jainism - I

• Asceticism: (from Greek askeō: “to exercise,” or “to train”), the practice of the denial of physical or psychological desires in order to attain a spiritual ideal or goal. Hardly any religion has been without at least traces or some features of asceticism

• Jains: those who believe in and follow Jainism.

• Karma: The fundamental tenet of Jain doctrine is that all phenomena are linked in a universal chain of cause and effect.

• Renunciant: one who renounces the “world.” Self-abnegating, self-denying(adj) used especially of behavior

• Samsara: the attainment of spiritual illumination in an attempt to win, through one’s own efforts, freedom from repeated rebirth (reincarnation)

Words Specific to Jainism - II

• Moksha: (Reincarnation) which mean liberation and release respectively. liberation or salvation of a soul from Saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and death.

• Siddha: It is a blissful state of existence of a soul, attained after the destruction of all karmic bonds. ... Such a soul is called siddha and is revered in Jainism.

• Tirthankara: (Sanskrit: “Ford-maker”) also called Jina (“Victor”), in Jainism, a saviour who has succeeded in crossing over life's stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow. Mahavira (6th century BC) was the last Tirthankara to appear.

Words Specific to Jainism - III

• Ahinsa; means nonviolence, non-injury and absence of desire to harm any life forms.

• The Jain concept of ahimsa is very different from the concept of nonviolence found in other philosophies; in which violence is usually associated with causing harm to others.

• In Jainism, that non-violence is directed towards everything: people, animals, plants, and even insects. Jains will go out of their way not to injure something, even a plant.

History of Jainism - I

• Jainism derives from the Sanskrit verb ji, “to conquer.” (one’s self)

• Janism came out of Hinduism; originating in the 7th–5th century BC in the Ganges basin of eastern India, the scene of intense religious speculation and activity at that time.

• Remember, Hinduism is over 4,000 years old, considered the oldest religion in the world

• Lord Mahavira is regarded as the man who gave Jainism its present-day form; although this is true only in the widest sense. He is sometimes wrongly called "the founder of Jainism"

History of Jainism - II

• Lord Mahavira, like the Buddha, was the son of a chieftain of the Kshatriya (warrior) class. At age 30 he renounced his princely status to take up the ascetic life for 12.5 years.

• While Mahavira initially rejected the caste a formalized caste system nonetheless gradually appeared in Southern india

• Monastic Schism: Years later, two sects arose: one sect argued that monks and nuns should wear white robes and the other sect claiming that a true monk should be naked. (but not a nun)

Jainism Beliefs - I

• Jains cannot eat eggs, gelatin, or even anything that grows underground. That includes potatoes, onions, and garlic! These are typical foods used in every day cooking in most households, but for Jains, it is not allowed in the house.

• Due to an old tradition, many will not eat before sunrise, nor after sunset; because they were able to see what they were going eat.

• Jains believe that the problem with humankind comes about because clean and pure souls are trapped in unclean, impure matter. The sense that the soul is pure and clean while everything material is evil and impure runs throughout Jain belief and practice.

• Christians, meanwhile, believe that the material world is created by God and is good although compromised by sin. Embodiment is not evil nor polluting in itself.

Jainism Beliefs - II

• Jainism is a non-theistic religion. (yet, they worship up to 24 semi-gods) It is a non-Vedic belief drawn from and out of India.

• Jainism has is no creator (God) or destroyer (satan)

• Christianity and Jainism disagree in their convictions about perfection.

• Jains believe that with the right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (renunciation), and ascetism, and non-injury, that they can eventually achieve Nirvana

• Monks walk bare footed and carry a brush to sweep away insects when they walk or sit. (Manoj, and a Youtube video)

Biblical Evaluation (Boa)1. Jainism is multi-theistic. They worship up to 24 Thirthankaras (victors)

(think of the 24 Elders in Revelation 4.4)

2. Jainism is egocentric rather that a God centered religion. There is no place in Jainism for a personal God

3. There is no faith, mercy or grace in Jainism: only works

4. Is ritualistic rather that relationship oriented; legalism rather than liberty

5. Jainism is characterized by pessimism rather than hope

6. No place for the weak; only the strongest can “find liberation”

7. It is a social and spiritual failure; was not able to eliminate castes

What is The Truth About Reincarnation?

• There ain’t NONE!

•Hebrews 9:27

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”

But, we Christians have two better:

The Resurrection, and the Rapture!

•This it for today!

•Have a great Sunday, week, and year!

References:• Boa, Kenneth, Cults, World Religions, and the Occult (Pages 27-29) Victor

Books, SP Publications, 1990

• Comparing Jainism to Christianity, retrieved October 26, 2019 from, https://www.smp.org/resourcecenter/resource/10371/

• Jainism Symbols, retrieved October 26, 2019 from https://jainsite.com/jainism_post/jain-symbols/#ixzz63U0xrWTh

• Meaning of Jainism; retrieved October 26, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism

• Manoj Jain, Opinion, Sept 29, 2011, retrieved October 26, 2019 from https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/opinion/30iht-edlet30.html

• Surprising Facts About Jainism, YouTube video, Aug 03, 2018, retrieved October 26, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKP0790kIK8