Jainism

Jainism (pronounced jayn-izm), traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is a dharmic religion with its origins in the prehistory of India, still practiced today by around 9 million people.

Beliefs and practices

On the one hand, there are the monks, who practice severe asceticism and strive to make this birth their last. On the other hand, there are the lay people, who pursue less rigorous practices, striving to attain rational faith and do good deeds in this birth. Due to the strict ethics embedded in Jainism, the laity must choose a profession and livelihood that does not involve violence to self and other living beings.

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In their effort to attain their highest and most exalted state of beatification (Siddhatva), which is the permanent release of the jiva from all involvement in worldly existence, the Jains believe that no spirit or divine being can assist them in any way. The Jains consider that gods cannot help the jiva to obtain release. This has to be achieved by individuals through their own efforts. In fact, the angels cannot even gain their own release until they are reincarnated as humans and undertake the difficult actions of removing the karmas.

Related Topics:
Beatification - Siddhatva - Gods

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The ethical code of Jainism is taken very seriously. Summarized in the Five Vows, they are followed by both lay people and monastics. These are:

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• Nonviolence (ahinsa, or ahimsa)
• Truth (satya)
• Non-stealing (asteya)
• Chastity (brahmacharya)
• Non-possession or Non-possessiveness (aparigrah)

For lay people, 'chastity' means confining sexual experience to the marriage relationship. For monks/nuns, it means complete celibacy. Nonviolence involves being strictly vegetarian. The Jain is expected to follow the principle of non-violence in all his/her thoughts, words and deeds. There are some Jains who wear masks over their mouths and noses to avoid any possibility of breathing in tiny insects.

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Mahatma Gandhi was deeply influenced by the Jain emphasis on a peaceful, non-harming way of life which is common to the Jain philosophy and made it an integral part of his own philosophy.

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The Jain rituals for marriage and other family rites are distinct and uniquely Indian. Jains have built temples where images of their Tirthankaras are venerated. Jain rituals are elaborate and include offerings of symbolic objects, with the Tirthankaras being praised in chant.

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Jains have few core symbols. One Jain symbol incorporates a wheel on the palm of the hand. The holiest one is a simple unadorned swastika or svastika.

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Jain Prayer

Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Namokar-mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship.

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Namo Arihantanam: - I bow to the Arahantas, the perfected human beings, Godmen.

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Namo Siddhanam: - I bow to the Siddhas, liberated bodiless souls, God.

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Namo Aayariyanam: - I bow to the Acharyas, the masters and heads of congregations.

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Namo Uvajjhayanam: - I bow to the Upadhyayas, the spiritual teachers.

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Namo Loe Savva Sahunam: - I bow to all the spiritual practitioners in the universe, Sadhus.

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Eso Pancha Namokaro: - This fivefold obeisance mantra,

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Savva Pavappanasano: - Destroys all sins and obstacles,

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Mangalanam cha Savvesim: - And of all auspicious repetitions,

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Padhamam Havai Mangalam: - Is the first and foremost.

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These five salutations are capable of destroying all the sins and this is the first happiness among all forms of happiness.

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In the above prayer, Jains salute the virtues of their five benevolent. They do not pray to a specific Tirthankar or monk by name. By saluting them, Jains receive the inspiration from the five benevolent for the right path of true happiness and total freedom from the misery of life. Jain prayers do not ask for any favors or material benefits from their Gods, the Tirthankaras or from monks and nuns.

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Jain Epistemology

Ahimsa (more accurately transliterated from Sanskrit as "Ahinsa") is not only the foundation of Jain morality, but also Jain epistemology. Jainism asserts that absolutism (especially moral absolutism) leads to fanaticism and violence, so Jain epistemology supports tolerance amongst beliefs, claiming that no single belief holds truth exclusively. ankantavada —literally Nonsingular Conclusivity or Non-one-ended-ness—is the position that all non-omniscent truth claims are partially based on the fact that all observations, and therefore all individual conclusions derived from a given observation, are by themselves limited and biased.

Related Topics:
Ahimsa - Epistemology - Absolutism - Moral absolutism - Ankantavada

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