Chapter Four Jainism

1. Chapter FourJainism Living Religions

2. Jainism • Pre-vedic • an indigenous Indian religion • ancient Hindu and Buddhist sources mention the Jains • Practiced by small minority in India • Recognizes humans are imperfect, but holds out promise that through strict control of our senses and thoughts we can attain perfection, freedom, and happiness

3. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Mahavira is the major teacher for this age • contemporary of the Buddha (d. 527 BCE) • also a prince of kshatriya clan • renounced his comfortable life • meditated for 12 years (silence, fasting, etc.) and achieved liberation and perfection • wandering teacher for 30 years • considered last of 24 Tirthanakaras of current cosmic cycle

4. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Tirthankaras • In Jain cosmology, the universe is in an eternal cycle of progress and decline. As things get worse, Tirthankaras create religion to steer people away from growing evil in the world.

5. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Lord Rishabha was thought to be first Tirthankaras • Introduced civilizing institutions such as: • Marriage • Law • Justice • Government • Taught arts such as: • Reading, writing, mathematics • Agriculture • Crafts

6. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Mahavira’s teachings were carried on orally. • Great saint Bhadrabahu led 12,000 monks to southern India to avoid famine he predicted. Upon return to Bihar, where Mahavira had lived, there was conflict due to changes the monks who remained behind had introduced. This caused a split into two groups: • Digambaras • Svetambaras

7. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Two groups within Jainism • Digambaras— “Sky clad” • Left the area of Mahavira because of famine • Monks wear nothing, symbolizing innocence of shame and non-attachment to material goods • Each has two possessions: • broom of feathers dropped peacocks • drinking gourd • Svetambaras— “White clad” • Stayed in the area • Relaxed nudity requirement, wear white cloth

8. The Tirthankaras and Ascetic Orders • Digambaras • Believe women are inferior and cannot: • become so pure as to rise to highest heaven • renounce clothes • become as skillful debaters as men • Svetambaras • Believe women can attain same spiritual achievement as men • Believe 19th Tirthankaras was a woman • In truth, nuns of lower stature than monks • Of approximately 6,000 Jain nuns, all but 100 (or fewer) are Svetambaras

9. Freeing the Soul: the ethical pillars • Jiva, individual’s higher consciousness or soul can save itself • Free from Samsara — wheel of life and death • Jina — one who has brought forth his or her highest being

10. Freeing the Soul: the ethical pillars • Karma • Ahimsa—non-violence • Aparigraha—non-attachment • Anekantwad—non-absolutism, open-mindedness

11. Spiritual Practices • Ascetic path practiced most fully by monks and nuns • Carry ahisma to extremes, e.g., not digging in ground • Seek to control mind and passions by own efforts • Birth is highest state save liberation - kevala • Fourteen stages of ascent of the soul • Lay spiritual life usually consists of six duties • Worshipper’s feeling for Tirthankaras is one of reverence rather than supplication

12. World Jainism • Approximately 6 million Jains today • Jain meditation centers in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Kenya, the U.K., and in India • New orders spread Jain teachings • Samans (semi-monks) • Samanis (semi-nuns)