Jainism

Jainism

Jainism comes from indian culture.

2 main traditions:

Brahman Tradition: Believes god created the world and his name is brahman.(Hinduism) God as a creator, animal sacrifices and caste system, and liberation by god’s grace.

Shaman Tradition: The universe is not created by a creator. “each and every soul can attain liberation”  by their self effort. Against animal sacrifice and caste system, “self effort to attain liberation.”

People who believe in jinas, it says people can attain nirvana and ultimate knowledge, and become free of hatred and negativity.

Antiquity of Jainism:

·         Tirthankar propounded the Jain religion.

·         The Jain history has the tradition of 24 Tirthankar.

·         The first Tirthankar is Rishabha.

·         The 22 Tirthankars belonged to prehistorical age.

·         Parshva- the 23th tirthankar-800 B.C.

·         Mahavir-the 24^th Tirthankar-599 B.C.

·         All Tirthankars achieved enlightenment. This each is a pioneering Tirthankar preaching the same truth.

Ancient names of Jainism: Shraman Dharma- Religion of Renunciation, Nirgrantha Dharma-Religion of non attachment,  Vratya Dharma-Religion of Arhats

Existed between 3300-1700 BCE in ancient indian.

Archaelogical evidence: Mohenjodaro excavation: naked statues because of the practice of non possession. Much of the art work represents meditation. It is said through meditation it is possible to attain enlightenment and dissolve negativity.

In Tripitek, Mahavair is mentioned as contemporary as Buddha. Jainism has existed since Buddhism.

Jain philosophy: Concept of soul, concept of karba and rebirth, concept of liberation, concept of God, concept of creation and universe, concept of Anekant-multi dimensional view point to know the truth.

Belief in souls:

·         Souls are infinite in number. Existence of each is eternal. Each soul is independent. It is tasteless, touchless, colorlerss, odorless. Soul bound by karma undertake rebirth. Liberated sould are pure and beyond rebirth.

Jain interpretation of Karma:

·         Historical record of one’s action

·         Karmas are physical particles, non-living, sub-atomic particles, possessing touch, taste, smell, color

·         Karmic particles are attracted by mundane soul

·         They are related with the sould like that of sugar in water or color in cloth

·         There are different kinds of karma having different consequences.

There are 8 different kins of karma the soul has to go through.

Relation of karma and soul:

·         The relation of karma and soul has no beginning but with self effort it has an end.

·         It is a relation of karma with karmic soul(mundane soul)

·         Relation is made by self and broken by the self.

·         The “pure” soul does not attract bad karmas because they don’t attract the bad karmic particles.

Path of Moksha – Three Jewels Moksha means to achieve complete purity of soul-

·         First is Right, samyak darshan, Faith at the bottom of pyramid.

·         Right knowledge-samyak gyan

·         Top of pyramid is right conduct, samyak charitra.

Each soul keeps the same quality but their independence for existing doesn’t stop.

Concept of God:

·         Liberated souls are free from incarnation

·         They are infinite in number

·         Each soul has the potentiality to become God.

·         They possess infinite knowledge, bliss, and energy.

·         Does not undertake any role in the Universal Phenomenon.

·         Doesn’t see God as creator.

Concept of Creation:

Universe is made up of soul and matter. Soul has properties of consciousness and matter has properties of touch, taste, smell, see, hear. Universe has endless past and endless future.

Universe consists of six substance: Split up into 2 categories, living and non living. (Stopped at 20:38)

Anekantavada-philosophy of janism. multiple view points to understand truth. One who negates the existence of others negates his own existence-Acharang1/66. Truth is not absolute.

Ying and yang of life, ex changing and sustaining. Opposing qualities don’t oppose each other but are compliment and supportive of one another.

No one can have absolute existence without help of others. Respect each other.

Story of 6 blind men and elephant. Men walking though forest, couldn’t see animal. Started to touch elephant.one said foot was like pillow, second said body was like wall, tail was rope, ear was like a fan. Each made different statement and began to argue with each other. Wise man coming through says to blind men that all men are right but not relative truth. The absolute truth is the elephant.

Jain ethics:2 different ways of life

·         Ethical code for Acetic life. Renounce world and lead displined life.

·         Ethical code for lay follower. Person who cant give up complete attachment but has some discipline.

·         Each person has ability to cleanse themselves and study religion.

Two levels of ethical code:

Life of jain monks:

·         Practices Mahavrata, training to understand self, cover mouth for non violence

·         They are 5:

·         Ahimsa-nonviolence

·         Satya-truth

·         Asteya-non stealing

·         Bramhacharya-celibacy

·         Aparigraha-nonpossession, no money no property

Life of lay follower:

·         Practices Anuvrat-partial vows

·         They are 12.

House holder, or shawakats can obtain moksha:soul pure of attachment and hatred.

Code of conduct:

·         Vegetarian

·         Keeps away from gambling

·         No alchohol

·         No stealing

·         No indulgence in extra marital affairs

3 kinds of violence:

·         1.Arambhaja:violence occurs in daily activities

·         2.Virodhaja:violence occurs in self defense

·         Sankalpaja: unnesecary violence, war, fishing. Worst kind of violence.

Jain prayers found at 37:38

Festivals:

Paryushan and dassalaxan: to stay closer to our soul. Swetamber known as white clad. Gumbers known as sky clad. Celebrate 8 days during august and September. Fasting, reading scripture, temple hopping, history research. Samvatsari-day of forgiveness. Prarikraman-inner cleansing prayer. Paushad –ascetic life for a day.

Diwali: social cultural and spiritual celebration. Means lighting the lamps or remove the darkness. Darkness of illusion, ignorance, attachment. Day related with Mahavir’s attainment of moksha. Buy not clothes, visit temples, fire crackers. Lakshmi puja-goddess of wealth.

Mahavir jayanti: birth of lord mahavir. Commonuties unite and party. When mahavir mother conceived him she had great dreams. Ceremony called dream ceremony or swapna ceremony.

2 major denominations:

Swetambra(white clad): multiple divisions. All men and women have ability to attain moksha.

·         Mandirmargi-idol worship

·         Sthanakvasi-non idol worship

·         Terapanthi-non idol worship

·         Swetamber puja-idols are decorated and their eyes are open. People cover their mouths because disrespects gods. May take hours to envoke different dieties.

·          

Digambra(sky clad)

·         Bhattarak-head of the temple.

·         Bispanthi-idol worship

·         Taranpanthi-non idol worship

·         Digambar puja(worship):idols are simple, not decorated, with eyes closed in meditation.

Swastika(spiritual symbol)made of rice

Conical Scriptures:

·         Agams are holy books of Jains

·         Series of volume

·         Compiled teaching of the tirthankars

Ellora cave33. Built in northwest india. 6-10 century a.d. house images of Buddha and mihivar in meditation.

Delawala temple- nw india. More than 1000 years old. Marble.