Jains believe that their religion is extremely ancient. It was translated with an introduction by nathmal tatia, includes a foreword by l. Jain philosophy internet encyclopedia of philosophy. The jain texts explain the anekantvada concept using the parable of blind men and elephant, in a. It is a fascinating and splendid work of constructive scholarship, and an authentic source of information about jaina philosophy and religion that will serve as a good reference book for many years to come. Jun 20, 2019 jainism is an ancient indian religion that preaches complete nonviolence, peace, and kindness towards all creatures of nature. It is a pattern of reinterpretation and reinvention to rebrand and reposition that is found in many religions, states scholz. Jains believe that jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the jain cosmology. The lord mahavira, who died in 527 bc, was the last of a long series of prophets tirthankara. They do not believe in the existence of a god or gods that will aid the human race.
Of the major indian religions, jainism has had the strongest ascetic tradition. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. For many, but not all religions, this is given some form of agency and. A beautiful illustration of the concept is captured in jain literature by the story of six blind men and an elephant.
Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian. He wrote nearly thirty works in sanskrit, the more noteworthy among them being nyayakusumanjali, adhyatmatattvaloka and kalyanabharati. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history.
The tradition presented in the materials below is one of the. Since then, this emblem is used in almost all of jain magazines, on wedding cards, on jain festival cards and in magazines with links to events related to jain society. Pilgrimage pilgrimage in jainism temples on the shatrunjaya hills, gujurat an important jain site. In 1974, on the auspicious 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of the last jain tirthankara, mahavira, the jain community at large collectively chose one image as an emblem to be the main identifying symbol for jainism. Jain religion is unique in that, during its existence of over 5000 years, it has never compromised on the concept of nonviolence either in principle or practice. What science and religion tell us about the story of the universe and our place in it, eds. Scholars regard hinduism as a fusion or synthesis 6 note 4. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. The saints of jaina religion presented the solutions for various problems of the world.
Jain fundamentals jain rituals jain scriptures jain compassion. The acharangasutra deals chiefly with the ethical conduct and discipline of monks. So, after attaining the ultimate height, the nirvan according to both, the jain and buddh religions, the practitioner has to adopt the guidelines of the scriptures sanatan dharm and do bhakti to a personal form of god. The same is the case with the practices of jain religion. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas, koshas, shravakacharas, mathematics, nighantus etc. Singhvi and an introduction to the jaina faith by padmanabh s. The book renders each verse into an easy to understand commentary and provides an excellent overview of the jain philosophy and religion. Interesting jain stories jain books, jain novels, jain. Is there any one principle above all which characterizes jainism. So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already. You will need to register to get access to the following site features. It includes the analyses of religious concepts, beliefs, terms, arguments, and practices of religious adherents. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism.
They decided, even though we would not be able to see it, let us. One of the religions that propagated early in indias history is called jainism. One day the villagers told them, hey, there is an elephant in the village today. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. The goal of the jain religion is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The scope of much of the work done in philosophy of religion has been limited to the various theistic religions. I believe that the prophetic scriptures from the books of daniel, revelation and others in the old. For example, all three traditions share a notion of karma as the actions of individuals that determine their future births, yet each has attached unique connotations to the concept. Welcome to religious forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding. An introduction, is a thoroughly researched overview of the jain tradition, a religion and set of philosophical constructs that have influenced indian thought for over 2500 years.
The jain religion originated more than twentyfive hundred years ago in india. The subject matter of the answers ranges from the jain doctrine to rules of ascetic behaviour. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. Jain prateek chihna the official symbol of jainism is the jain prateek chihna. Jains believe that an immortal and indestructible soul resides within every living being. Philosophy of religion is the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. It discourages superstition and blind faith and encourages free and rational thinking. Sep 10, 2009 pilgrimage pilgrimage in jainism temples on the shatrunjaya hills, gujurat an important jain site. His forte was his spiritual and philosophical thinking, and his contribution in the field is both substantial and distinctive. If you have the book i have put the page numbers at the end of the questions where you can find the answers as a reference. The teachings of the twenty four tirthankaras were first composed in fourteen purvas and later in twelve angpravishthaagams an ang being a limb by ganadhars themselves.
Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Scholars regard hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various indian. The jain scriptures are the source books of jain ethics, yoga, religion, philosophy and mythology. Jain doctrine stresses spiritual development through attainment of wisdom, purification, nonviolence, selfcontrol, truthfulness, and nonmaterialism. And indeed, his focus on hindu tradition alone blinds him to the presence. Christian missions to india imply that india is a land of heathens, and, therefore, stands on the same level with the andaman or the fiji islands. Jainism you should read enough of the materials presented in this section concerning the tradition of jainism in order to understand how this tradition displays the characteristics or elements that make a tradition one that would be termed a religion. Pilgrimage plays an important part in jain life for digambaras and some svetambaras.
Jain philosophy deals with reality, cosmology, epistemology study of knowledge and vitalism. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. The tattvarthasutra is a famous book which summarizes jain teachings. We hope to see you as a part of our community soon. The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah. Saman suttam saman suttam is the religious text created in 1974 by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the major sects of jainism to reconcile the teachings of the sects. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Sep 25, 2014 india has a long history of religious and spiritual wealth. The religion of jains included women in their fourfold sangha.
Jain scholars were supportive of akbar and jain texts praise his religious tolerance. For example, we are all familiar with the story of the eight blind men and an elephant. This religion is unique in comparison to other religions because there is no belief in a deity or greater power. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible.
The godless religion pennsylvania state university. The texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition, nor were they allowed to write. Using the eternal sanskrit language, they reveal the total philosophy of each and every aspect of god and the creation of this universe, and, at the same time, they also reveal the process of god realization bhakti. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Religious books have quoted the tirthankaras as saying. Jainism is properly the name of one of the religious traditions that have their origin in the indian subcontinent. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism.
The first jina is traditionally believed to have been a giant who lived 8. Philosophy of religion internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Bibliography jainism religion yale forum on religion. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. Basic concepts of jainism and its applications can be learned from chandrakantbhais easy and unique teaching skills and indepth knowledge of the subject. Elephant and the blind men once upon a time, there lived six blind men in a village. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to. Jane religion definition of jane religion by the free. Jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras, with the first being rishabhanatha, who according to jain tradition lived millions.
Jane religion synonyms, jane religion pronunciation, jane religion translation, english dictionary definition of jane religion. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. India has a long history of religious and spiritual wealth. The principles of jaina religion can contribute to positive mental health. According to jain tradition, lord rishabh was the first interpreter of ahinsa nonviolence. If i have anything wrong or any thing i should add, tell me and i will correct them. Jainism ontario consultants on religious tolerance. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Originating on the indian subcontinent, jainism or, more properly, the jain dharma is one of the oldest religions of its homeland and indeed of the world. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama. However, the early svetambara scriptures prevented pregnant women, young women or those who have a small child, to enter to the ranks of nun. Jainism, hinduism, and buddhism share many key concepts derived from the sanskrit language and dialects that have enabled them to hone their religious debates. The kalpasutra describes in detail the lifestory of mahavira.
Theantiquity of jainism jaina religion is the oldest religion of india, it began as a spiritual discipline for samanas. Jainism beliefs a process of enlightenment similar to hinduism, jainism beliefs also maintain various principles and practices related to meditation, karma, and reincarnation. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. Jainism traces its roots to a succession of 24 jinas those who overcome, or conqueror in ancient east india. It attempts to explain the rationale of being and existence, the nature of the universe and its constituents, the nature of souls. Jain philosophy is the oldest indian philosophy that separates body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Sep 11, 2009 the texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition, nor were they allowed to write. Lord mahavir was the twentyfourth and last tirthankara of the jain religion of this era.
Not only do the earliest jain monastic codebooks acknowl. Furthermore, the earliest buddhist texts discuss jainism in some detail. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley. Jain texts such as acaranga sutra and tattvarthasutra state that one must renounce all killing of living beings, whether tiny or large, movable or. Under the influence of passions such as greed and hatred, the soul comes under a complex web of karma, or the past deeds of the soul, and suffers repeated birth and. Note how the jain meaning of swastika is fundamentally different from modern day interpretation. This website is for the users who want to learn the basic concepts of jain religion. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source texts. An ascetic religion of india, founded in the sixth century bc, that teaches the immortality and transmigration of the soul and denies the existence of a. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Interesting jain stories jain books, jain novels, jain scripts, jain study, new jain books, stories, short stories, long stories, jain lectures. It developed a path of renunciation and purification designed to liberate one from the shackles of karma, allowing one to enter into a state of eternal liberation from rebirth, or kevala, which is roughly equivalent to the buddhist concept of nirvana. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview.
It attempts to explain the rationale of being and existence, the nature of the universe and its constituents, the nature of souls bondage with body and the means to achieve. Our goal is to upload his discourses on various aspects of jainism. Centre for the study of comparative religions and civilizations, jamia millia islamia university. It deals with all the main topics of jaina metaphysics, ethics, epistemology and logic.
Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. The jain doctrine since it is very old religion, it has a well developed doctrinal basis comprising of a metaphysics and ontology, b cosmology and cosmography, c theology and mythology, and d ethics, etc. Saman suttam saman suttam is the religious text created in 1974 by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the major. There was a disagreement between early hinduism, and ascetic movements such as jainism with the scriptural access to women. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts.
One of the religions that propagated early in indias history is. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Matthews, mary evelyn tucker, and philip hefner, 283292. By accessing different parts of the elephants body, each blind man tries to deduce what he is touching. He followed an existing religion, which jains believe was established by rishabhdev, who lived countless centuries before. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. This insight, illustrated by the famous story of the blind men trying to describe an. Jul 02, 2017 some have even argued that anekantavada is a philosophical talisman to ward off dogmatic thinking or myopic fundamentalism. Centre for the study of comparative religions and civilizations, jamia millia. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. The followers of the religion take five main vows including nonviolence, not lying, not stealing, chastity, and nonattachment.