Jainism

Important TermsKarma – the moral law of cause and effectAhimsa – “nonviolence”, an important ethical

principle requiring Jains to respect all lifeAsceticism – a lifestyle of rigorous self-denialJina – word from which Jainism is derived,

meaning “conqueror”Tirthankaras – “makers of the river crossing”:

spiritual conquerors of the past who have attained salvation

Kevala – Jain enlightenment, which is perfect and complete knowledge / omniscience

Makers of the River Crossing

Makers of the River CrossingCrossing the river symbolizes the spiritual journey,

crossing from samsara into salvation beyondParshva – the 23rd tirthankara (lived in the eighth

century B.C.)Mahavira – the 24th tirthankara

Born into kshatriya warrior class, married, had a daughter

Unhappy with luxurious lifestyleJoined Jain ascetics, practiced extreme asceticism and

attained enlightenmentPreached to his followers for the rest of his life

Mahavira vs. GautamaGautama rejected asceticism: The Middle WayGautama learned true practices of Buddhism on his own

Mahavira, the

Twenty-fourth

Tirthankararead

Biography of Mahavira

Details about his former existenceFive religiously significant moments of their

lives: conception, birth, renunciation of material life, kevala and physical death / nirvana

Parents’ namesNumber of followersHow long did he live?

A Brief Account

Biographies of the TirthankarasDetails about their former existenceOne religiously significant moment of their

lives; choose from: conception, birth, renunciation of material life, kevala, or physical death / nirvana

Number of followersHow long did they live?Color of their bodyAmount of time elapsed since the death of the

tirthankara before them

Knowing the Universe: Cosmology and Salvation

The Jain UniverseBuddha spoke very little about cosmology –

felt it was not related to one’s salvationIn Jainism the salvation of the soul depends on

understanding its predicament, which is found in the makeup of the universe

Loka

Loka – a space that is limited but immense:If a god were to fly at the speed of

ten million miles per second, it would take him seven years to travel from the top to the bottom

Here, all things are both living and nonliving

Never created, will never endOnly strong winds exist outside of

lokaBelow are many hells, above are

many heavensAll experience rebirthFinal liberation is found at the

very top, in the “realm of liberated souls”

Upward and Downward CyclesUpward and downward cycles – turning of a

wheel, improvement and decayThis happens foreverSix ages

Each last 21,000 yearsOnly 24 tirthankas appear in each cycleJains believe we are presently in 5th cycle

World’s rampant decay People are unkind Lack moral or spiritual competence to attain salvation Mahavira was the last of this cycle He and his 11 disciples were the last humans in this

world to attain salvation until next cycle

The Human Condition:Clean Souls in Dirty MatterJivas – souls

LivingPerfectly pure

Ajiva – all forms of matterNonlivingConsists of space, time, motion, restImpure (“matter is impure”)

These two elements have become intertwined, thus making the jiva impure

Salvation consists of liberating the soul from ajiva, the matter with which it is intertwined

Jainism classifies bodies / life-formsStationary (plants) and moving (insects,

mammals)By senses – five-sensed (humans, animals), four-

sensed (flying insects), etc.Essentially, all life-forms are to be regarded as

fellow creatures – worthy of respect and care – because all are inhabited by a soul

Some life-forms can participate in spiritual development, but all must eventually be reborn into human bodies in order to attain salvation

The Religious Quest:The Rise of the Fallen SoulSalvation (the very top of the loka) is attained

when the soul, or jiva, cleans all matter from itself and regains its original state of purity

Karma is still crucial to the destiny of the soul, but in Jainism it is seen as strictly materialImmoral actions tarnish the soul with heavy matterVirtuous actions leave only light bits of residueTotal purification leads one to kevala (possible to

attain while still living)Since Mahavira and his 11 were the last in this

cycle to achieve kevala, the most that the rest of the Jains in this world can hope for is a good rebirth

The Religious Life

Jain SectsTwo categories

LaypeopleAscetics: monks and nuns

Two largest sects of Jainism asceticsShvetambaras – “Those whose garment is white”

Use bowls to beg and eat Believe women can attain kevala Believe there will still be a need for food in kevala

Digambaras – “Those whose garment is the sky” Monks go about naked (nuns do not) Use hands to beg and eat Do not believe women can attain kevala – she must be

reborn as a man Believe there is no need for food in kevala

Nonviolent and Ascetic:Jain Monks and NunsThe Five Great Vows

Do not injure other life forms.

Avoid lying.Do not take what has not

been given.Renounce sexual

activity.Renounce possession.

Prosperous and Moral: Jain LaypeopleTwelve Vows for Jain Laity

Do not intentionally injure a sentient life-form (that is, a life-form having two or more senses).

Avoid lying.Do not take what has not been given.Avoid unchastity.Avoid greed.Avoid excessive travel.Avoid excessive indulgence in things such as food or clothing.Avoid any unnecessary harmful behavior (such as self-

indulgence or excessive complaining).Restrict activities to a certain place for a period of time.Regularly perform the standing meditation.Fast on certain days.Give to ascetics and to charitable causes.