Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Jainism is a south asian religious tradition which takes its name from those sanskrit, jaina. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality.
The author skillfully explores jain doctrines regarding the nature of the soul and the observance of nonviolence, placing jainism within the context of hinduism and buddhism. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises. The acharangasutra deals chiefly with the ethical conduct and discipline of monks. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. Jains do, however, believe in a perfect universal presence, as well as multiple deities who dwell in the heavens. The 11 beliefs you should know about jehovahs witnesses when. At present, the word jain religion denotes the complete tradition and teachings of thirthankars. The history of the digambara jain sect after mahavira can generally be divided into the follwing four periods. The jain community includes two categories of women. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book.
Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of the religion as it is practiced today. Jains believe that an immortal and indestructible soul resides within every living being. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. Some jains do not worship deities but many jains pay homage to gods and goddesses as mediators between the perfected souls of the jinas and the imperfect world of human experience. Jain theism the jain understanding of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an almighty creator god. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Jainism is a very ancient world religion with a history of over 3000 years, which originated in the indian subcontinent, like hinduism and buddhism. English, jain who follow the teachings and example of authoritative teachers called jina conqueror. Jainism touches hinduism and buddhism in its cosmology and ideas of periods, and it agrees entirely with regard to the doctrines of karman, of the bondage, and the deliverance of souls.
Nov 30, 2010 the history of the digambara jain sect after mahavira can generally be divided into the follwing four periods. There state jain texts, he died by fasting, a jain ascetic method of ending ones life by choice sallenkanavrata. Shvetambara monks are allowed to retain a few possessions such as a robe, an alms bowl, a whisk broom, and a mukhavastrika a piece of cloth held over the mouth to protect against the ingestion of small insects, which are presented by a senior monk at the time of initiation. The svetambara, that is, they who are clothed in whitedo not claim. It was translated with an introduction by nathmal tatia, includes a foreword by l. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview. Mahavir being the last of 24 thirthankars, a new pattern seemed to have set in and its followers there after called jains. Udaygiri orrisa was also, one of the important jain centres. The eight centuries from the beginning of the christian era may be called the period of the acharyas. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. It is a religion and philosophy originating in ancient india. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse.
Those who follow the religion believe that a nonviolent life will naturally lead to. Women, whether real or legendary, are an important component of jain culture. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas, koshas, shravakacharas, mathematics, nighantus etc. A concise guide to nine major faiths, penguin books, isbn. The name jainism derives from the sanskrit verb ji, to conquer.
List of world religions and founders, religious books, place. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. The universe is the composite of groups consisting of adverse pairs like knowledge and ignorance, pleasure and sorrow, life and death and so on. He wrote various books known as niyukti, which are commentaries on those scriptures. The digambara, that is, those whose robe is the atmosphere, owe their name to the circumstance that they regard absolute nudity as the indispensable sign of holiness, though the advance of civilization has compelled them to depart from the practice of their theory. Jains believe that human beings as well as, animal and plants contain living souls. All of this happened approximately 2000 years back. Mar 17, 2015 jain beliefs jainism has historical roots in hinduism, but there are many differences between the two indian religions today. These teachers are also called makers of the ford sanskrit, t i rtha.
The status of gods and goddesses among jain followers is disputed. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two main. Jainism religion britannica encyclopedia britannica. The jain doctrine since it is very old religion, it has a well developed doctrinal basis comprising of a metaphysics and ontology, b cosmology and.
Therefore, jainism is known as a selfhelp religion. Both arihants and siddhas are considered gods of jain religion. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. This article lists prominent individuals who have selfidentified as a follower of jainism. It refers to the ascetic battle that, it is believed, jain renunciants monks and nuns must fight against the passions and bodily senses to gain enlightenment, or omniscience and purity of soul. There are some similarities and differences between the two religions.
Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books. Jain religion is unique in that, during its existence of over 5000 years, it has never compromised on the concept of nonviolence either in principle or practice. The sources of the jain doctrine are the jinas and the long route to liberation is an individual path. All siddhas are perfected souls, living for ever in a blissful state in moksha. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. The religion does not depend on gods, but on the self. Once again, we need look no further than the jains. This highly readable book provides an excellent introduction to an ancient and complex tradition that predates the birth of the buddha. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Imagine how different our world might be if the bible contained this as its central precept. Jain is derived from the word jina, referring to a human being who has conquered all inner passions like. The author skillfully explores jain doctrines regarding the nature of the soul and the observance of nonviolence, placing jainism within. Dharma ke dasha lakshana ten characteristics of religion.
Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests. Gods and goddesses are part of the world of rebirths and are not selfcontrolled, instead demonstrating passions ka. He visited various european countries to give lectures on jainism. Equality of all people rejection of caste system 4. The tradition presented in the materials below is one of the. Champat rai jain 18671942 was an influential jain writer and comparative religion scholar of the 20th century who contrasted jainism and christianity. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. Although it has some similarities with both traditions, jainism is different from them with. Jainism is an ancient religion that believes that bliss can be achieved if one lives a harmless life. He was born in kundagrama a suburb of vaisali modern muzaffarpur district in bihar in 599 b.
The term has its origin in the sanskrit term jina conqueror or victor. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments. Basic concepts of jainism and its applications can be learned from chandrakantbhais easy and unique teaching skills and indepth knowledge of the subject. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. Later on in 3 rd and 4 th century, the name jain religion came into existence. The book renders each verse into an easy to understand commentary and provides an excellent overview of the jain philosophy and religion. Lord mahavir was the twentyfourth and the last tirthankara of the jain religion. Jainism and hinduism are two ancient indian religions. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. Thus occasional voices deny that they have anything to do with the protection of jain teaching and refuse their integration into the jain.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Vardhaman mahavira was the 24th and last tirthankara of jainism. Jain philosophy internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or. Atheism, the view that the world was not created, is common to it with buddhism and the san. The supreme importance of the doctrine of karma lies in providing a rational and satisfying explanation to the apparently inexplicable phenomena. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley.
The aim of existence is to attain through the triratna of. Central to jian belief is the material and the spiritual realm. In jainism, the gods are seen as finite and subject to samsara, which is a view much more similar to buddhism. Jain religion rejects hindu notions of caste and the ancient vedic rituals of sacrifice to gods. Each of these sects is also divided into subgroups. The jain religion, according to the jain scriptures1 is eternal, revealed in every cyclic period of the world. This book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Apr 21, 2015 jain theism the jain understanding of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an almighty creator god. Aspects of jaina religion vilas adinath sangave snippet view 1999. Jain religion nischaya dharma purity of soul which results from the above action dirt of karma disappears. The first five or six centuries after bhagavan mahavira.
This is in a fully referenced, comprehensively indexed, questionanswer format with many examples helps to readily grasp even difficult concepts. Our goal is to upload his discourses on various aspects of jainism. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture.
Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Jainism has prehistoric origins dating before 3000 bc, and before the beginning of indoaryan culture. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide.
Buddhism, however, has no real presence in india today. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice. All the groups have their own interests, which create clashes and conflicts in thinking among themselves. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas. His birth name was vardhamana, meaning ever increasing. Jainism is a very popular religion practiced primarily in india, although believers are found across the globe. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Like those of the buddha, mahaviras doctrines were formulated as a reaction to and.
This website is for the users who want to learn the basic concepts of jain religion. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two. Biblically, however, viewing obedience to rules as a requirement for salvation nullifies the gospel gal. Contact us 715 bellemeade place, alpharetta, ga 0004, usa.
The time is divided into two equal cycles namely utsarpini kala and avasarpini kala. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Under the influence of passions such as greed and hatred, the soul comes under a complex web of karma, or the past deeds of the soul, and suffers repeated birth and. The tattvarthasutra is a famous book which summarizes jain teachings. The goal of the jain religion is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Singhvi and an introduction to the jaina faith by padmanabh s. The jains do not believe in gods or a god as creators of the world. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion. Does he religion support a belief in souls or spirits which survive the death of the body. According to jain philosophy, all tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Temples, gods, rituals, fasts and other religious components of jainism are different from those of hinduism. Mahavira, the jain patriarch, surpassed the morality of the bible with a single sentence.
The most illustrious of those few individuals who have achieved enlightenment. Concise but accurate introduction to the key principles of jainism. The jains follow the teachings of the 24 jinas conquerors who are also known as tirthankars. He flourished about 250 years after the death of parsva.
So, after attaining the ultimate height, the nirvan according to both, the jain and buddh religions, the practitioner has to adopt the guidelines of the scriptures sanatan dharm and do bhakti to a personal form of god. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. The religion derives its name from the jinas conquerors, a title given to twentyfour great teachers tirthankaras or fordmakers, through. Aug 17, 2017 jehovahs witnesses believe that salvation requires faith in christ, association with gods organization i. Religion continued jain morality vyavahara dharma conduct in accordance with the rules prescribed by arihants and accompanied always by compassion, love, sympathy etc. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. The name of his son was kept bharata after which india said to be named. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of. Jainism you should read enough of the materials presented in this section concerning the tradition of jainism in order to understand how this tradition displays the characteristics or elements that make a tradition one that would be termed a religion. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source texts. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Jainism is properly the name of one of the religious traditions that have their origin in the indian subcontinent. Hinduism, buddhism, jainism, sikhism, taoism, confucianism.
Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The first of these was rishabhanatha, who according to. The jain tradition believes that their religion is eternal, and the teachings of their first tirthankara rishabhanatha were their scriptures. Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. This agam describes the names, positions, and residences of devas angels who. Doctrines of jainism the doctrine of karma importance of the doctrine the doctrine of karma occupies a more significant position in the jaina philosophy than it does in the other systems of philosophy. Arihats are perfect human beings and preach the jain religion to the people during their remaining life. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english.
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