Jainism

1. Jainism November 2011

2. Jainism • Jainism is an Indian religion of ancient origins • There are between four and twelve million Jains, mostly in India • Jains value non-violence and asceticism • Jain has elements in common with Hinduism and Buddhism, but with notable distinguishing features Note: the swastika is an ancient Jain holy symbol. It is still commonly used in many parts of Asia as a religious symbol and symbol of good luck

3. The Mahavira • Jains claim that their religion has always existed • According to legend, there have been 24 Tirthankaras (“Fordmakers”), holy teachers who preach the dharma • The 24th Tirthankara was the Mahavira (“Great Hero”), a prince who died circa 527 BCE • The Mahavira was a prince, but renounced his wealth to live as an ascetic • According to legend, the Mahavira practiced extreme asceticism for twelve years, owning nothing, not speaking, wearing no clothes, fasting extensively, and enduring torment by passers-by, until he became enlightened • For the rest of his life, the Mahavira taught the dharma to a large number of disciples • In Jainism, dharma is said to be the true nature of a thing. It also refers to the teachings of Jainism

4. Denominations of Jainism • Two main denominations of Jainism exist: • Digambaras (“sky-clad”) retain the ancient Jain custom of monastic nudity • Digambara Jains do not believe that women are capable of achieving enlightenment • Digambara Jains believe that the Mahavira’s teachings, the Agamas, were lost in an ancient famine • Svetambaras (“white-clad”) differ in minor ways from Digambaras • Sventambara monks and nuns wear white cloth robes • Svetambara Jains believe that women are capable of becoming fully enlightened • Svetambara nuns outnumber monks • Svetambara Jains believe that the majority of the Agamas are preserved in the Jain oral tradition (Jain monastics were not allowed to own books)

5. Jain Beliefs • Jains believe in karma and reincarnation • In Jainism, karma is particles that are accumulated through good and bad deeds, and stay with a person through reincarnation • The world passes through cycles of progress and decay • We live in a time of decay and moral confusion, necessitating teachers like the Mahavira, the Tirthankara of the modern age • Jainism is neither wholly theistic nor wholly atheistic; Jains believe in celestial beings (devas) which are similar to Hindu gods, but do not believe them to be omnipotent; also, spiritually advanced beings (Jinas) have god-like qualities, but do not intervene in mortal affairs

6. Enlightenment • The highest goal in Jain religious life is to free the true self, or jiva • Unlike atman or anatman, the jiva is unique and real • Jains strive to bring forth the pure jiva through meditation in order to enter a blissful state • A person who has attained this state is called a Jina (“winner”), like the Tirthankaras • Only through freeing oneself of karma can a person attain the state of kevala (a state of spiritual perfection and omniscience) and become a Jina • Although Jains believe in gods and demons, they believe that only humans can attain enlightenment • To avoid accumulating karma, Jains practice ahimsa, aparigraha, and anekantwad

7. Ahimsa: Non-Violence • Ahimsa, or non-violence, is central to Jain life • Jains practice strict pacifism, even avoiding abusive words and thoughts • Ahimsa extends to non-human beings • Jains are vegetarians • Jains believe that living organisms exist everywhere, and care must be taken not to harm them • Some Jain monks cover their mouths to avoid breathing in organisms, and sweep the ground in front of them to avoid stepping on living beings • Some Jains maintain animal sanctuaries to care for injured animals • The Jain doctrine of ahimsa was very influential upon Mohandas Gandhi

8. Aparigraha: Nonattachment • Freedom from samsara comes through nonattachment to people and things • Jain monastics are expected to have few possessions • A digambara monk may own only a peacock-feather broom and a water gourd • Lay Jains are also expected to live as modestly as possible

9. Anekantwad: Non-Absolutism • The doctrine of anekantwad requires Jains to remain open-minded to other perspectives • Ideally, anekantwad is neither exclusive nor relativistic, but encourages open-minded dialogue and reconciliation of opposing views • Historically, Jains have been friendly towards other religious traditions, fostering inter-religious dialogue • Reality, Jains claim, is too complex for any one view to claim exclusive truth • The parable of “The Blind Men and the Elephant” illustrates the doctrine of anekantwad

10. Jain Asceticism • Jain monastic life is extremely ascetic • Jain monastics often sleep without covering and fast extensively • At initiation, a Jain monastic’s hair must be pulled out at the root • Lay Jains are expected to take twelve vows: • Nonviolence • Truthfulness • Avoidance of stealing • Having sex only within marriage • Owning only what is needed • Limited area of activity • Limited quantity of things owned • Avoiding pointless harmful activities • Meditation for at least 48 minutes per day • Restricting certain activities to certain times • Living as an ascetic for a period of time • Giving to monastics

11. Sallekhana • Jains believe that practicing asceticism can burn away karma, bringing forth the true jiva • As long as a person is alive, he or she accumulates karma, causing reincarnation into the world of samsara • Some Jains choose to undertake the ritual of sallekhana to ensure a favourable rebirth by burning karma at the end of life • Sallekhana is a fast to death, accompanied by intensive meditation and reflection upon life • Although sallekhana is not mandatory and requires permission from a religious leader, it is done by many Jains each year, usually by the elderly or terminally ill

12. Jain Festivals • Jain holy days provide occasion for fasting and purification • The festival of lights, Diwali, commemorates the enlightenment of the Mahavira • Paryushan Mahaparva is the festival of atonement, culminating in the Day of Forgiveness • Jains fast, listen to lectures on scripture, and practice forgiveness • Pilgrimages are popular in Jainism • Bihar, in northern India near Nepal, is a holy city in Jainism

13. Jainism Worldwide • Shree Chitrabhanu was the first Jain monk to leave India, travelling to the United States in the 1970s • Acharya Tulsi initiated the Anuvrat Movement in 1949, allowing people to take limited Jain vows to become “semi-monks” or “semi-nuns” in order to cultivate world peace • Jains do not seek to convert others, but often strive to sow world peace and environmental respect • Small Jain communities exist in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Africa

14. For Next Week • Read Chapter 5: Buddhism