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Jainism: Universe in endless cycles of time, progressive half-cycle, then

Jainism: Universe in endless cycles of time, progressive half-cycle, then degenerative half cycle 24 Jinas (conquerors)/Tirthankaras (ford-builders) in each half-cycle. Mahavira (c. 599-527 BC) Born Kshatriya Dedicated to ahimsa (non-violence) Becomes mendicant ascetic at 30.

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Jainism: Universe in endless cycles of time, progressive half-cycle, then

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  1. Jainism: Universe in endless cycles of time, progressive half-cycle, then degenerative half cycle 24 Jinas (conquerors)/Tirthankaras (ford-builders) in each half-cycle

  2. Mahavira (c. 599-527 BC) Born Kshatriya Dedicated to ahimsa (non-violence) Becomes mendicant ascetic at 30

  3. After twelve and a half years attains kevela (supreme enlightenment) and becomes 24th Jina Problem of karmic matter trapping soul in samsara Quest for moksha Dies at 72

  4. By 1st c. AD Jainism has split into Digambara (sky-clad) and Shvetambara (white-clad) groups Differing attitudes over clothes, scripture, women Today are about 5 million Jains?

  5. Infinite number of immaterial, eternal souls, but trapped in bodies as gods, humans, hell- beings, animals, plants Hatreds and desires attract material karma, which clouds consciousness, leading to more of same, and also causing reciprocal suffering and rebirth after death Only humans can attain liberation

  6. Attain liberation by stopping attracting, and expelling, karmic matter Keep soul pure and hope for right circumstances, leading to path of inevitable liberation Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Practice

  7. Great Vows/Restraints: Refrain from… Injuring life False speech Taking what is not given Being unchaste Having possessions

  8. Practices: Meditation, aiming to attain enlightenment Fatal trance at end of life

  9. Activities of laypeople: Vows to refrain from violence, lying, stealing, illicit sex, attachment to possessions Other acts incl. worhip of Jinas, support of monks/nuns Jains are vegetarian, avoid professions where might have to do harm, and often work for public welfare

  10. Activities of laypeople: Prayer and meditation Worship of Jinas at temples, sometimes other deities (e.g. gods of places, Sarasvati [Goddess of Learning]) Fasts, festivals and pilgrimages Rituals associated with life stages

  11. Jains as oldest continuously-existing religious community Interdependence of monks/nuns and laypeople Prominence of women Society based on nonviolence, quest for enlightenment, welfare of all Non-missionary religion

  12. Sikhism: 16th c. In India, Muslim rule, but majority Hindu population Hindu monotheism and Sufi Islam exchanging ideas Love of and mystical devotion to God

  13. Nanak (1469-1539) born Hindu Kshatriya but also educated in Islam At age 30 disappears while bathing for 3 days. Has encounter with God and becomes… Guru: gu (dispeller of ignorance) ru (bringer of enlightenment) Travels spreading message of one God, unity of religious paths and futility of traditional rituals

  14. 1521 Settles in India, builds dharmasala Sikhs (“disciples”) Succeeded by 9 gurus, last of which is Gobind Singh (1666-1708) 1699 Guru Gobind founds khalsa (pure) order Five K’s: kais (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kirpan (sword/dagger), kara (wrist- guard), kachha (short pants)

  15. Name added on joining khalsa: Singh (“lion,” for men) or Kaur (“princess,” for women) Adi Granth (holy text of Sikhs) c. 18 million Sikhs, mostly in India (esp. Punjab)

  16. Universe as emanation of God’s being God as personal deity and true Guru Combination of monism and monotheism Human soul as part of emanation from God. Upon death, fate determined by karma, but normally rebirth Aim to achieve union with God and escape cycle of death/rebirth

  17. Bad behaviour, not loving God allowing Yama, Lord of Death, to trap soul in cycle of death/rebirth Seek self-transformation through teachings of gurus in Adi Granth, leading eventually to union with God Service, ritual, worship

  18. Gurdwara (Sikh temple) worship: veneration, readings with commentary, hymns, serving of karah parsad Other religious observances: Holy festivals throughout year Rites of passage incl. khalsa initiation

  19. Sikh values: Love of God, expressed through dedication to work, worship and charity Cultivation of wisdom, truthfulness, justice, moderation and self- control, contentment, courage Diligence, honesty, altruism and tolerance

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