Jainism
Jainism offers a truly enlightened perspective based on the equality of souls; irrespective of physical forms, ranging from human beings to animals and microscopic living organisms. Among all living beings, humans alone are endowed with all the six senses- sight, sound, taste, smell, touch and thought. And that is why humans are expected to act responsibly towards all living beings by being compassionate, non-egoistic, fearless, forgiving and rational.
Jains are the followers of the Jinas, referred to as God. Jina, literally conqueror, stands for he who has conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion, and has thereby freed his soul from the karmas obscuring knowledge, perception, truth, and ability. Jinas teach us to reduce vices such as raag (attachment), dvesh (aversion), krodh (anger), man (pride), maya (deceit) and lobh (greed).
One of the oldest and greatest religions of the world, Jainism has been in existence since time immemorial. Ample literary and archaeological evidence shoulders the historical authenticity of Jainism. Its independent existence and greater antiquity, not only in relation to Buddhism, but even Brahmanism, have become admitted facts. It is a significant and prominent religion of India and despite the comparatively small number of its declared adherents, Jainism has creditably retained this important position.
The aim of a Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul. This is done by following the Jain ethical code: living rightly by following the three fundamental principles- Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
Right Faith - Samyak darshana
This is faith in the true nature of substances, as they are. It also means having the right belief of God, guru (teacher) and religion.
Right Knowledge - Samyak jnana
This is the knowledge which reveals the nature of things neither insufficiently, nor with exaggeration, nor falsely; but exactly as they are and with certainty.
Right Conduct - Samyak charitra
This is to free oneself from raag (attachment), dwesh (aversion), and from all the impure activities of thoughts, words and deeds and thereby attain vitragta (the state of perfect equanimity.)
We live in times marked with suspicious and distrust, when universal peace and brotherhood seem like impossible ideas. In a word filled with fear and hatred, the tenets of Jainism are like the oasis in the desert, an answer to a desperate need. A perfect blend of philosophy and practicality, it offers an ethical system par excellence. Not stopping at mere philosophy, Jainism is a way of life, proficient enough to elevate an ordinary individual to the greatest height of spiritual realisation. It is imperative that we embrace this philosophy which bears the message of love and respect, non-violence and peace- both internal and external.
Jainism offers a truly enlightened perspective based on the equality of souls; irrespective of physical forms, ranging from human beings to animals and microscopic living organisms. Among all living beings, humans alone are endowed with all the six senses- sight, sound, taste, smell, touch and thought. And that is why humans are expected to act responsibly towards all living beings by being compassionate, non-egoistic, fearless, forgiving and rational.
Jains are the followers of the Jinas, referred to as God. Jina, literally conqueror, stands for he who has conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion, and has thereby freed his soul from the karmas obscuring knowledge, perception, truth, and ability. Jinas teach us to reduce vices such as raag (attachment), dvesh (aversion), krodh (anger), man (pride), maya (deceit) and lobh (greed).
One of the oldest and greatest religions of the world, Jainism has been in existence since time immemorial. Ample literary and archaeological evidence shoulders the historical authenticity of Jainism. Its independent existence and greater antiquity, not only in relation to Buddhism, but even Brahmanism, have become admitted facts. It is a significant and prominent religion of India and despite the comparatively small number of its declared adherents, Jainism has creditably retained this important position.
A Tirthankara is a special Siddha (liberated soul) who has attained omniscience and guides other souls to save them from the cycles of repeated existences on earth (rebirth). Tirthankaras are ordinary people who, through the intense practice of kindness, equanimity and meditation, have attained the state of a Tirthankara.
Thus, a Tirthankar is an individual who destroys attachment with all the earthly things and relations. Having freed himself absolutely from ignorance, he repays all his previous and current birth dues of karma. He detaches himself from all the good and bad, and attaining absolute knowledge about the present, the past, and the future; becoming an omniscient in the process. He becomes a Siddha and frees himself from the cycle of birth and re-birth.
The 24 Tirthankaras of the present age are: Shree Adinatha, Shree Ajitnatha, Shree Sambhavanatha, Shree Abhinandana Swami, Shree Sumatinatha, Shree Padmaprabhu, Shree Suparshvanatha, Shree Chandraprabhu Swami, Shree Suvidhinatha, Shree Shitalnatha, Shree Shreyansanatha, Shree Vasupujya Swami, Shree Vimalanatha, Shree Anantanatha, Shree Dharmanatha, Shree Shantinatha, Shree Kunthunatha, Shree Aranatha, Shree Mallinatha , Shree Muni Suvrata Swami, Shree Naminatha, Shree Neminatha, Shree Parshvanatha and Shree Mahavir Swami.
Jainism does not have an individual as a founder. The 24 Tirthankaras are considered to be the creators of the Jain religion. The Tirthankaras are the divine elements of Jainism. They have attained all the achievements of ultimate nature including the ultimate knowledge after making vigorous efforts. Their principles are for the betterment and welfare of others. Their path is to provide a completely fearless life of non-violence, love and friendship. Their vision of life is very wide and they have no insistence for anything. Their way of life means giving up possessive passion and being free from the karmas. The teachings of the Tirthankaras form the canons of the Jain religion.
Emerging from the three jewels of the Jain way of life and related to Right Conduct are the five abstinences, which are the vows of:
(1)Non-violence (Ahimsa): To abstain from causing harm to any living being
(2) Truth (Satya): To speak only the innocuous truth
(3) Non-stealing (Achaurya or Asteya): To refrain from taking anything without the permission of its owner
(4) Celibacy/Chastity (Brahmacharya): Abstinence from sexual indulgence
(5) Non-attachment/Non-possession (Aparigraha): To abstain from having possessions and possessiveness towards anything
These five vows must be strictly observed by Jain monks and nuns in their entirety. However, partial observance of these vows has also been formally laid down for householders, with seven additional vows. These enable the gradual and smooth progress of the soul on the path of liberation, leading to moksha or absolute freedom.
