Non stealing asteya chastity brahmacharya not to indulge in sexual activity. The word jainism is derived from a sanskrit verb jin which means to conquer. It teaches that the universe is eternal and that every living being has a soul. In the story of their lives, mahavira and the buddha show similarities such as aristocratic family, left home to. Non violence is the supreme religion ahimsa parmo dharma it is repeatedly said by all tirthankaras in jain literature, do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. It is not possible to create matter out of nothing and hence the sum total of matter in the universe remains the same similar to law. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. The jaina agamas or scriptures are the works of the immediate disciples of mahavira. Practitioners believe that non violence and selfcontrol are the means by which they can obtain liberation. As part of ordinary life, lay jains must buy and own objects, such as housing, furniture, transportation and clothing.
According to jain tradition, lord rishabh was the first interpreter of ahinsa non violence. Among these five vows, non violence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and hence it is called the highest religious principle, or the cornerstone of jainism. These principles have affected jain culture in many ways, such as leading to a predominantly vegetarian lifestyle. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. According to jain doctrine, the universe and its constituentssoul, matter, space, time, and principles of motionhave always existed. For this, a soul has to be without attachment or self.
In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at last will. It is considered a wise virtue and is promoted in various eastern religions, such as jainism. Nonviolence is the supreme religion ahimsa parmo dharma. Both these religions emphasis on nonviolence, but in jainism nonviolence is its main core. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. The householder is encouraged to discharge his or her duties to related people and objects as a trustee, without excessive attachment literature. There is a holy trinity, god the father, his son, and the holy spirit. Buddhism is a polytheistic religion and its main goal is to gain enlightenment. Currently, jainism is divided into two major sects digambara and svetambara. It is considered a wise virtue and is promoted in various eastern religions, such as jainism, taoism and buddhism.
This page covers the basics of jainism at a glance. For jains, nonabsolutism means maintaining openmindedness. Adi granth sacred book jina conqueror sikh disciple. The uttaradhyayana sutra is one of the most important sacred books of the shvetambar jains, who venerate its antiquity and authority. Anekantwad, another central principle, reminds believers to avoid anger and judgementalism, remaining openminded by remembering that any issue can be seen from many angles. Jain texts such as acaranga sutra and tattvarthasutra state that one must. These scriptures are known as jain agam or agam sutras.
This is termed as the essence of the jaina scriptures. Later jain literature was written in apabhramsha kahas. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The supreme principle of jainism is nonviolence ahimsa. This can be achieved only by the monks and nuns who take five great vows. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. The three major tenets to define jainism are the path of ahimsa, anekantvad and aprigraha non violence, multiple points of views and non attachment. Lay people try to follow the vows insofar as their lives permit.
We feel immense pleasure in bringing this book before the readers on the eve of the golden jubilee celebration of the p. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Buddhism vs jainism difference and comparison diffen. 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. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Jainism encourages fasting, yoga practices, meditation in difficult postures, and other austerities. The word jainism is derived from jin which means conqueror one who has conquered his passion and desires, love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and. The first sacred books of the jaina are in prakrit or ardhamagdhi language. Judaism is one of the ancient monotheistic religions and was founded over 3500 years ago in middle east. In jainism, nonmanifestation of passions like attachment is noninjury ahimsa, and manifestation of such passions is injury himsa.
The main religious premises of jainism are non violence, manysidedness, non attachment, and asceticism. But we dont have to sell everything we own and become monks or nuns to practice non attachment. Jain asceticism jain heritage centres jainism, history. Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of gautama buddha, whereas jainism is centered on the life and teachings of mahavira. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non violence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. Aparigraha, non attachment to things and people, is a central ideal to jainism. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion.
Regarding the concept of detachment, or nonattachment, buddhist texts in. Their are five mahavratas five vows as per jain beleifs i ahimsa, ii non attachment to possessions, iii not lying, iv not stealing and v sexual restraint. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. On the contrary, jainism is a religion of purely human origin and it has emanated from the mouth of a dignitary who has secured the omniscience and selfcontrol by his own personal efforts. What are the major rituals, holy days, garments, ceremonies and symbols. Detachment, also expressed as nonattachment, is a state in which a person overcomes their attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. Jainism places great emphasis on ascetism hylozoism the background philosophy of jainism the belief that all physical matter has life and feeling and can suffer the jains consider mahavira to be the greatest of the tirthankaras. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas. For this, a soul has to be without attachment or self indulgence.
Mahatma gandhi to adopt principles of religious tolerance and nonviolence. By observing certain rules and methods mentioned in the agams holy books of jainism, bad karmas can be extinguished. Karma is an invisible force in hinduism, whereas in jainism it is a form of matter which can stick to the soul. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. It is nothing but the sumtotal of substances which have been existing always and will go on existing for ever. Jains believe that souls are under the influence of their karmas actions, both past and present. According to jains, ones highest goal should be moksha i. Jainism is an eastern religion and philosophy dating back over 2600 years. Asceticism, in one of its most intense forms, can be found in one of the oldest religions known as jainism. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. Non attachment aparigraha complete detachment from people, places, and material things. Jainism, traditionally known as jain dharma or arihant sanatana dharma is an ancient indian religion. Jainism and sikhism outline jainism and sikhism words to. The texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition.
Jainism is also a polytheistic religion and its goals are based on non violence and liberation the soul. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. He who has conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion. Use the reading documents to identify the key beliefs and practices for each religion. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. From september 2nd to september 19th, jains worldwide will be observing the practice of paryushan. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to. The jains trace their history through the lives of 24 tirthankars.
Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Although all jains hold these vows, jain monks and nuns follow them strictly and totally. Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god. The other mahavratas are nonattachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, and. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. The essence of jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe. Among these five vows, nonviolence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and hence it is known as the cornerstone of jainism. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The three basic principles jains adopt to avoid the accumulation of karma is non violence ahimsa, non attachment aparigraha, and non absolutism anekantwad living 124. It prescribes a path of non injury ahimsa towards all living beings. Truth is the highest of all virtues, but higher still is truthful living. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas, koshas, shravakacharas, mathematics, nighantus etc. Violence and attachment attract karma, a sticky physical substance that clings to human souls, binding them to samsara. Its professional religious people are monks and nuns, who lead strict and ascetic lives.
Detachment, also expressed as nonattachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. An older dating accepted by jains, puts his life entirely in the 6th century bce 599527 bce but some scholars believe he lived a bit later but all agree he left home at about age 30 to live the life of a wandering holy man. All the constituents and actions are governed by universal natural laws. The ultimate goal of jains is to rid the soul of all karmas and attain liberation. Jains hold these vows at the center of their lives. Jainism does not support belief in a creator deity. However, god shows people through holy books, and by the examples of saints, the best ways to get close to him. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book, like the bible or the koran, but it has many books compiled by gandharas and srutkevalis during the 150 years after lord mahavirs nirvan death. Discussion in jainism dir started by antireligion, jan 18, 2010. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. Christianity believes that there is a higher power.
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