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Alternative
Religions profiles
History/Origin:
Jainism
is a heretical sect of Hindu Brahminism, and is believed by some scholars
to be related to Buddhism. It was founded in roughly 600 BCE by Jnatriputra,
who was later given the title Vardhamana Mahavira. (as well as the title
Jina, conqueror, from which the name Jain is derived) Mahavira, like
Buddha, was reputedly the son of a Prince, rejected the Vedas, and practiced
extreme asceticism. Mahavira was the last of 24 Tirthankaras,
or enlightened teachers:
Rishabha
(also Adi-natha)
Ajita
Sambhava
Abhinandana
Sumati
Padmaprabhu
Suparshvanatha
Chandraprabhu
Suvidhi
Shitalnatha
Shreyansa
Vasupujya
Vimala
Ananta
Dharma
Shanti
Kunthu
Arah
Malli
Munisuvrata
Nami
Nemi
Parshva
Mahavira
The Tirthankaras
are also known as Jina, saints, or
Current
leader/governing body: There
are two main sects of Jainism, the Svetamabara("white robed")
and Digambara ("Sky clad"). Svetamabaras accept women into
their ranks, the Digambara do not. The Digambara also practice nudity
whenever possible, to be as close to a natural state as possible.
Number
of Adherents: About
five million, the vast majority concentrated in India. Clergy:
Jains have no official clergy; generally serious believers
become monks or nuns. (Sadhu and Sadhvi) Non initiates form the classes
of laypersons. (Shravak and Shravika). One becomes a Jina by
completely excising one's ego and base emotions.
Requirements
to join: To
become a monk, one is initiated, and takes vows to live a life without
worldliness.
Church/temple: Jains
tend to prefer ornate temples similar to Hindu temples, however, only
the laity worship in temples- monastics repudiate temple worship as worldly.
Temples contain statues of the Tirthankaras and minor deities.
Scripture:
The authentic scriptures agreed
upon by both Jain sects are the Purvas, which have been lost. Other
scriptures include the Angas, Upangas, Mulasutras, the
Satkhandagama, and the Anuyogas.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: Jainists
practice extreme self-denial and non-violence, avoiding meat, cooked
food, killing, and anything thought to be "worldly." Jains
usually wear face coverings to prevent the accidental inhalation and
killing of insects. Some Jains go without clothing; most wear simple
white garments.
Code
of Conduct:
Ordained
Jain Monastics take five vows:
1.
Ahimsa (non-killing) for all living things.
2. No lying.
3. No stealing.
4. To avoid worldly attachments.
5. To avoid walking after dark.
Beliefs
and practices: Jain
belief is similar to Buddhism in many ways. They believe that Moksa,
or enlightenment, is the only way to be liberated from the Dharma, the
law of Karma and rebirth. To achieve this end, Jains practice ahimsa, non-harming.
Everyday Jains avoid killing "five-sensed" creatures, the
Monastics avoid taking the life of any creature at all. Unlike Buddhism,
Jains teach self-denial and asceticism- that only by repudiating material
existence can one attain spiritual existence. One must strive to remove
attachments, ego, and subservience to base emotion; this is accomplished
throughout many lifetimes.
Another
doctrine Jains hold that is similar to Buddhism is the triratna,
or "three gems." These are:
- Right
knowledge
- Right
faith
- Right
action
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- Jain
cosmology divides the universe and everything in it into five categories
(astikayas):
-
- Soul
- Motion
- Rest
- Atoms
- Space
Symbols: Symbols of the Jain religion include many Hindu symbols, also emblems
like the "Ahimsa," a hand proclaiming an end to Samsara
through nonviolence:
For more information on this and other symbols, please see Religious
symbols.
Image
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