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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. |
Jain Temple, Jaipur, India
Michael Busselle / Getty Images
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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
- Jain cosmology divides the universe and everything in it into five categories (astikayas):
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- Soul
- Motion
- Rest
- Atoms
- Space
Mahamastak Abhisheka Ceremony
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Symbols: Symbols of the Jain religion include many Hindu symbols, also emblems like the "Ahimsa," a hand proclaiming an end to Samsara through nonviolence. The emblem of Jain belief is known is illustrated to the right. Click either image for a detailed explanation.
 
For more information on this and other symbols, please see Religious symbols.
Image galleries: Mahavira
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