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.

Overview of Jain Dharma

According to Jain beliefs, Jain philosophy is a codification of eternal universal truths which at times lapse among humanity, but later reappear through the teachings of human beings who have gained enlightenment or omniscience (Keval Gnan). According to jain tradition, Lord Rishabha was the first human to receive the philosophy in this part of the universe, in the present cycle, and more recently Vardhaman Mahavira (599–527 BC), or Lord Mahavira.

Related Topics:
Enlightenment - Lord Rishabha - Mahavira - 599 - 527 BC

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Jainism teaches that every single living thing is an individual and eternal soul, which is responsible for its own actions. Jains see their faith as teaching the individual to live, think and act in ways that respect and honor the spiritual nature of every living being to the best of one's human abilities. Jains view God as the unchanging traits of the pure soul, chief among them being Infinite Knowledge, Perception, Consciousness, and Happiness ('Ananta Gnana, Darshan, Chaitanya,' and 'Sukh'). The universe itself is seen as being eternal, having no beginning and no end, precluding God from being a creator.

Related Topics:
Soul - God

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The primary figures of Jainism are the Tirthankaras. Jainism has two main variants: Digambar and Shvetambar. Jains believe in ahimsa (or ahinsa), asceticism, karma, samsara, and the jiva. Jain philosophy has many scriptures written over a long period of time. Many Jains consider the primary scripture to be the Tattvartha Sutra, or Book of Realities written over 18 centuries ago by the monk-scholar Umasvati (also known as Umasvami).

Related Topics:
Tirthankara - Digambar - Shvetambar - Ahimsa - Asceticism - Karma - Samsara - Jiva - Scripture - Tattvartha Sutra - Umasvati

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As part of its stance on nonviolence, Jainism goes beyond vegetarianism in that the Jain diet also excludes most root vegetables and certain other foods believed to be unnecessarily injurious. Observant Jains do not eat, drink or travel after sunset and always rise before sunrise.

Related Topics:
Nonviolence - Vegetarianism - Root vegetable

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At 4 to 5 million adherents, Jainism is among the smallest of the major world religions, but in India its influence is much more significant than what the numbers would suggest. The Jains live throughout India.Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat have the largest Jain population among Indian states. Other states of India with relatively large Jain population among its residents are Karnataka and Mahya Pradesh. Outside of India, USA, UK, Canada and East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda) have large communities.

Related Topics:
Major world religions - Maharashtra - Rajasthan - Gujarat - Karnataka - Mahya Pradesh

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Jainism has a large following in the Indian region of Punjab, especially the town of Ludhiana. There were many Jains in Lahore (Punjab's historic capital) and other cities before the Partition of 1947. Many then fled to the Indian section of Punjab.

Related Topics:
Punjab - Ludhiana - Lahore - Partition - 1947

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Jains have been an important presence in Indian culture, contributing to Indian philosophy, art, architecture, sciences and the politics of Mohandas Gandhi which led to Indian independence.

Related Topics:
Indian culture - Indian philosophy - Art - Architecture - Science - Politic - Mohandas Gandhi - Indian independence

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Digambar and Shvetambar sects

It is generally believed that the two major sects of Jainism, Digambar and Shvetambar, trace their origin to events that occurred about 200 years after the nirvana of Mahāvīr. Bhadrabahu, chief of the Jain monks, foresaw a period of famine and led about 12,000 people, to southern India. Twelve years later, they returned to find that the Svetambar sect had arisen. The followers of Bhadrabahu became known as the Digambar sect.

Related Topics:
Sects - Mahāvīr - Bhadrabahu - Monk - Southern India - Svetambar - Digambar

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However historians have noted that there was no clear division until the 5th century. The Valabhi council of 453 resulted in editing and compilation of scriptures of the Svetambar tradition.

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Excavations at Mathura have revealed many Kushana period Jain idols. In all of them the Tirthankaras are represented without clothes. Some of them show monks with only one piece of cloth which is wrapped around the left arm. They are identified as belonging to the ardha-phalaka sect mentioned in some texts. The Yapaniaya sect is believed to have have originated from the Ardha-phalakas. They followed Digambara practice of nudity, but held several beliefs like the Svetambaras.

Related Topics:
Kushana - Yapaniaya

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