A Basic Introduction to Jainism
Arvind Shah
April 22, 2015
Knowledge Sharing Forum
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Meaning of “Jain”
• The word „Jain‟ is derived from the Sanskrit
word „Jin‟ which means conqueror (victor), the
individual who has conquered his/her internal
enemies such as anger, jealousy, ego, greed,
attachments, passion, etc.
• The followers of „Jin‟ are called Jains and the
religion followed by them is the Jain religion.
• Jainism is both a philosophy and a religion
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Tirthankaras (1)
• The word “Jin” applies to the 24 founders of
Jainism (called Tirthankaras) on whose example
the religion is centered.
• The Tirthankaras had succeeded over life‟s cycle
of rebirths and attained Nirvana (moksha, spiritual
perfection and liberation, salvation).
• They re-enforced the religious order according to
the circumstances and the state of the society
during their lifetimes.
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Tirthankaras (2)
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Rishabhdev – 1st Tirthankar (~ 5000 years ago)
……
Parshvanath – 23rd Tirthankar (877BC – 777BC)
Mahavir
- 24th Tirthankar (599BC – 527BC)
• The seals and stauts found at Harappa resemble
very closely to those idols found near Mathura
indicating that worship of Rishabhdev was
prevalent during the Indus Valley civilization about
5000 years ago.
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Tirthankaras (3)
• The oldest Indian scriptures, Rigveda and Yajurveda,
contains the names of Rishabhdev, Ajitnath and
Arishtanemi, who are 1st, 2nd and 23rd Tirhtankaras,
respectively.
• The Kalpashutra is a Jain text that chronicles the
lives of the 24 Tirthankaras. The historical details
of the first 22 Tirthankaras are not completely
known and have been lost in antiquity. Most texts
are written in the ancient language of Ardhamagadhi.
• The lives and teachings of the last two Tirthankaras
(Parshvanath, Mahavir) have been well documented.
From their time onwards, we have an accurate
outline of the growth and philosophy of Jain religion.
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Sculpture of the two Jain tirthankaras Rishabha (left) and Mahavira (right). Photographed at the
British Museum
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Mahavir (599BC - 527BC) - (1)
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Original name – Vardhman, Mahavir (Great Hero)
Born in Royal family in Kundgram (Bihar)
Son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishaladevi
Had extra-ordinary physical and mental strength
Disturbed by unending human sufferings
At age 30, left Royal Palace and family
Spent next 12 years in meditation and learning
self-control, endured pain and torture by others
• Attained absolute knowledge (omni-science, Keval
Gnana) necessary for the liberation of soul
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Mahavir (2)
• Came to Pavapuri (Bihar), debated many religious
scholars and clarified all their doubts
• Indrabhuti Gautam became chied interpretor of
Mahavir‟s teaching
• For next 30 years, preached Jainism all over India.
• Many kings and commoners accepted and promoted
Jainism
• Discouraged superstition and blind faith,
encouraged free and rational thinking
• Hinduism had degenerated due to untouchability of
shudras, animal sacrifice in yagnas and many rituals
• At age 72, attained Nirvana (salvation) at Pavapuri
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Mahavir (3)
• Made religion simple and natural
• Taught love, compassion and kindness for ALL living
beings, social equality and universal brotherhood
• Emphasized need of a comprehensive outlook – truth
is many sided - promoted multiplicity of viewpoints
(anekantavada) – be tolerant enough to understand
viewpoints of others which produces atmosphere of
harmony and religious tolernace – necessary to
realize the whole truth – elephant/blind men
• Through a combination of rational perception
(samyak darshan), rational knowledge (samyak jnana)
and rational conduct (samyak charitra), one can
attain self-realization and ultimately the liberation.
• The life and facts about Parshvanath are parallel. 9
Blind Men and Elephant
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Basic Principals (Framework) of Jainism (1)
• 1. AHIMSA (Non-violence, Non-harming)
– Respect freedom of ALL living beings
– Minimize physical and mental injury to all living
beings (fundamental reason of Jains for being
vegetarian), minimization of extent of injury
– Live with peace and harmony with self and ALL
living beings. Be considerate of mother Earth.
– Non-violence is perhaps the most important
contribution (teaching) of Jainism to the world
– Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. King used non-violence
– Jains fund many Human, Animal and Bird charity
hospitals and centers
(Inject home anecdote)
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“Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult,
torment, torture, or kill any creature or
living being. LIVE AND LET LIVE ”
― Mahavir Swami
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Mankad ,Chachad, Khatmal, Bed Bug (?)
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Basic Principals (Framework) of Jainism (2)
• 2. TRUTH (Satya)
– Be truthful, pleasant and wholesome
• 3. Non-stealing (Asteya)
– Do not take property of others without consent
or by unjust or immoral deeds
• 4. Purity of Body and Mind (Brahmacharya)
– Abstinence from sexual activities (and similar
thoughts) outside marriage
– If wealth is lost, nothing is lost.
If health is lost, something is lost.
If character is lost, everything is lost
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Basic Principals (Framework) of Jainism (3)
• 5. Non-possesiveness (Aparigraha)
– Keeping possessions within limits
– Give up greed
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Jain Ethics (1)
• All living beings have consciousness known as the
soul, which is also called the atma. The soul and body
are two different entities. The soul can not be
reproduced.
• It is described as a sort of energy (chetna) which is
indestructible, invisible, and shapeless. The body is
merely a home for the soul. At the time of death,
the soul leaves the body to occupy a new one.
• Tirthankaras have said that the soul has an infinite
capacity to know and perceive. This capacity of the
soul is not experienced in its present state, because
of the burden (bondage) of accumulated karmas.
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Jain Ethics (2)
• Just as balloon tied with heavy weight will sink in
swimming pool, but as soon as the weight is
removed balloon will come to the surface; in the
same way when soul is freed from the bondage of
all karmas, soul in its natural form moves upward
to the top of universe and reaches to Shiddhashila or abode of the liberated souls (Nirvana).
• The ultimate goal in Jainism is for one to attain
Moksha just as Tirtahnkars and Jins did it (by
following the path shown by them). In other
words, uplift worldly soul to become liberated soul.
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Jain Ethics (3)
• All souls are equal and each soul has a capacity of
becoming liberated and attaining Godhood
(spiritual perfection). Each living being is a creator
(architect) of his/her own destiny.
• Human body is a chariot on which the soul rides
toward salvation. The life on earth is to conduct
itself to successively higher and higher form of
existence.
• Salvation is the birth right of every human being
and it is assured if one follows the prescribed
rules of conduct.
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Body and Soul
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SOUL
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Jain Ethics (4)
• Individual souls take rebirth according to karma
they have performed in prior lives. This explains
why one is born where (and how) he/she is born.
Salvation ends the cycle of rebirths.
• The liberated souls are worshiped by Jains. They
do not do anything for us. They do not interfere in
the affair of universe.
• God is an ideal and Godhood is the ultimate goal of
all worldly souls. God is the supreme manifestation
of human excellence.
• Jains believe that the human state is the only one
from which moksha is possible. Being born as
human is precious.
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Jain Ethics (5)
• Jainism do not postulate God as the creator or
supreme ruler of the universe. Universe is without
beginning and end and is governed by the laws (and
properties) of nature.
• Jainism opposes rituals and blind faith. Accept
only what we find true according to our own
observation and experience. Aim of science and
religion is the search of truth.
• Prayer is not for pleasing God and not to ask for
material wealth, comfort or favors. It provides
mental peace and it has a sobering effect on our
ego and makes us feel as a part of universe.
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The most common Jain prayer
NAVKAR MANTRA
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Namo
Namo
Namo
Namo
Namo
Arihantanam: I bow down to Arihanta (Jin)
Siddhanam: I bow down to Siddha (liberated souls)
Ayariyanam: I bow down to Acharya,
Uvajjhayanam: I bow down to Upadhyaya,
Loe Savva-sahunam: I bow down to all Sadhu/Sadhvi.
Note: Not praying to any specific God or Gods – truly an
universal prayer. It serves as a reminder of great souls and
encourages Jains to follow their foot steps for salvation.
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Jain Festivals (1)
• Paryushan
– During the end of the rainy season in India
(Aug/Sept)
– 8th and the last day is called “Samvatsari” – a day
of confession and removing all ill-feelings
– a day to forgive and ask for forgiveness from
family, friends and enemies alike for causing any
mental or physical pain and suffering, knowingly
or unknowing. We declare friendship with
everybody and no bitterness towards anybody.
– Michchami Dukkadam -May my bad deeds (faults)
become futile. In other words „please forgive me.‟
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Jain Festivals (2)
• Mahavir Jayanti
– The birthday of Mahavir
– Full-moon day in the month of Chaitra
(March/April)
• Mahavir Nirvana
– The day of passing of Mahavir on Diwali, fullmoon day in the month of Kartika (Oct/Nov)
– Anniversary of Mahavir‟s attaining Moksha
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Branches of Jainism
• Svetambar (White clad)
– Monks and nuns wear two pieces of white cloth
– Only carry vessels for food and books
– No money or other possessions
– Travel by bare foot, stationary in rainy season
– Sermons and request for vows (inject anecdote)
– Further breakdown: Sthanakvasis and Deravasis
Sthanakvasis – No temple and no idol worship
Deravasis – Go to temple and do idol worship of Jin
• Digambar (Sky clad)
– Wear no clothing, same in other aspects as above
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Fasting and other renunciation
• Fasting by Jains and Jain Sadhus
– alternate day fasting for a fixed period
(ranging from a month(s) to year(s)), several
variations
– Continuous fasting for a fixed period (ranging
from a day to month(s))
– While fasting: no food, boiled water permitted
– Ektanu (eating one time per day for a fixed
period ranging from one day to month(s) and
Year(s))
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Jain Population
• There are estimated 7,000,000 Jains in India
(much less than 1% of Indian population)
• There are estimated 200,000 Jains outside of
India of which half are in USA.
• The Jain temples carry some of the best ancient
and modern architectural designs
• The literacy rate of Jainism is highest of all
religions in India with 94.1%
• Jains form less than 1% of total Indian population
but pay 24% of India's total income tax
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Ranakpur Temple
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In Jain Temple, Ranakpur
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In Jain Temple, Ranakpur
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Palitana Temple
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Dilwara Temple
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Gomateshwara Temple
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Khajuraho Jain Temple
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Sonagiri Temple
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Lal Mandir
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Jaisalmer Jain temple
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Siddhachalan Jain Tirth, Blairstown, NJ
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Mombasa Jain temple
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Jain Emblem and Indian Stamp
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THANK YOU!
LIVE AND LET LIVE
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