As great omniscient teachers, tirthankaras accomplished moksha and then teach others how to achieve it.

Transcription

1 Ascetic Religions The practitioners of Ascetic religions eschewed worldly pleasures and led an abstinent lifestyle, in the pursuit of redemption, salvation or spirituality. Origins of Jainism Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself. Jainism doesn't have a single founder. Religious truth has been revealed at different times by a tirthankara, which means a teacher who shows the way. Other religions call such a person a 'Prophet'. As great omniscient teachers, tirthankaras accomplished moksha and then teach others how to achieve it. Jainism is an ascetic religion of India that teaches the immortality and pilgrimage of the soul, denies the existence of a supreme being and emphasizes the art of non-violence. Jainism is a response to Hinduism and rejection of castes system. Jainism is one of the oldest living religions. The term Jain means follower of the Jinas. The Jinas, or spiritual victors, are human teachers who attained omniscience. The exact place where Jainism started is not confirmed, but India is most commonly referred to as the place of origin. Jainism, as a religion, was, at various times, found all over South Asia including Sri Lanka and what are now Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Afghanistan. Jainism started out in the sixth century B.C. as a protest against the overdeveloped rituals of Hinduism. The actual date is still questioned, but it is believed that it started no earlier than Page 1

2 850 B.C. (7th - 5th Century B.C.). It is difficult to determine precisely the origin of Jainism. Nataputta Vardhamana, who became known to his followers as Mahavira ("great hero"), has traditionally been identified as the founder of Jainism. Mahavira was the last in a long line of founders. Timeline Religion Founder/Leader 2,085 B.C. Judaism Abraham gave him and his people a covenant. 1,500 B.C. Moses - God covenants with a chosen people making a nation under his leadership, the only 1,500 B.C. Hinduism theocracy No specific in founder the world. (some say it was earlier) B.C. Zoroastrianism Founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia. 560 B.C. Buddhism Gautama Buddha 550 B.C. Taoism Lao Tzu 599 B.C. Jainism Mahavira Twenty-three religious figures preceded Mahavira in the establishment of Jainism. The Tirthankaras Page 2

3 These religious figures, together with Mahavira, are called Tir-than-ka-ras, or "crossing builders." They are believed to be those ideal persons who forged a bridge between this life and Nirvana. A total of twenty-four Tirthankaras receive the veneration of Jains in their temples. They are called Tirthankaras (ford-makers), because they help others escape the cycle of birth and death. The twenty four Tirthankaras ( ford maker ), the great teachers. These great teachers go back countless thousands of years before recorded history of mankind. The twenty-fourth Tirthankara, called Mahavira, was born in 599 B.C. The Twenty Four (24) Tirthankara: Tirthankara Symbol Tirthankara Symbol 1) Risabhdeva Bull 13) Vimala Boar 2) Ajita Elephant 14) Ananta Hawk 3) Sambhava Horse 15) Dharma Thunderbolt 4) Abhinandana Ape 16) Shanti Deer 5) Sumati Partridge 17) Kunthu Goat 6) Padmaprabha Lotus 18) Ara Nandyaavarta 7) Suparsva Swastika 19) Malli Water jar 8) Candraprabha Moon 20) Munisuvrata Tortoise 9) Suvidhi Crocodile 21) Nami Blue lotus 10) Sitala Sirvatsa 22) Nemi Conch shell 11) Sreyansa Rhinoceros 23) Parsva Cobra 12) Vasapujya Buffalo 24) Mahavira Lion Page 3

4 THE TIRTHANKARAS: Appears in the world to teach the way to moksha, or liberation. Not an incarnation of the God. Great omniscient teachers who lived at various times in man's cultural history. Accomplished the highest spiritual goal of existence. Each new tirthankara preaches the same basic Jain philosophy. 24, tirthankaras during this present age. S-ve-tam-bar-a Jains - believe that tirthankaras can be men or women. Dig-am-bar-a Jains - believe that women can't be tirthankaras. Life and Teachings of Vardhamana Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira is the most important figure in Jainism. He was the last in line of the Tirthankaras. He was born in 599 B.C. and died in 527 B.C. His birthplace was Kundalpur, India. His life and teachings were dedicated to the art of ahimsa or non-violence, which is the central belief of Jainism. He grew up in India where Hinduism was the dominant religion. He accepted the aspects of Hinduism, but felt that some changes needed to be made. It was he who built up the Jain Church and laid such a firm foundation for it that it has existed almost unchanged for more than twenty-five centuries. Most sources suggest that Mahavira lived between 599 and 527 B.C.E. Some authorities place his death as late as 467 B.C.E. He As contemporary with Siddhartha Gautama, Confucius, Lao-tzu, and the great Page 4

5 Hebrew prophets of the sixth century B.C.E. (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the anonymous author or authors of Isaiah 40-66). At the age of 30, he left home on a spiritual quest. He spent twelve and a half years subjecting himself to extremely long, arduous periods of fasting and meditation. He attained omniscience. He attained enlightenment (perfect absolute knowledge). Therefore was later called Mahavira (the name is from maha, great, and vira, hero ). He had become a jina- spiritual conqueror. Eleven men became his ganadharas, or chief disciples. From that day forward Mahavira taught the path he had discovered to other seekers. After a final period of intensive fasting he attained nirvana (absolute bliss), and the Moksha (release from samsara). At 72, Mahavira died and attained nirvana, that blissful state beyond life and death. He consolidated the religious faith by drawing together the teachings of the previous Tirthankaras, particularly those of his immediate predecessor, Parsva, who lived about 250 years earlier. Mahavira added the principle of chastity to make the Five Jain principles: (No violence, No lying, No stealing, No possessions, and Chastity) Mahavira was not the founder of Jainism. He is the world's most recent tirthankara (and will be the last one in this age). He lived the life of an ascetic, or a sadhana. He endured extremely long, arduous periods of fasting and meditation. Mahavira attained enlightenment and taught the path he had discovered to other seekers. Page 5

6 Mahavira established a community of 14,000 monks and 36,000 nuns before he died. Initially the followers of Jainism lived throughout the Ganges Valley in India. Around 250 B.C., most Jains migrated to the city of Mathura on the Yamuna River. Later, many traveled west to Rajasthan and Gujarat and south to Maharashtra and Karnataka, where Jainism rapidly grew in popularity. The Jain population throughout the world is less than 10 million, of which about 100,000 have settled overseas in North America, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Belgium, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. Jainism There are about 4 million Jains today, Most of them are lay people. In general, they do NOT accept the Hindu Scriptures or rituals, but they do share a belief in the transmigration of souls. The most obvious characteristic of them is their devotion to the principle of ahimsa, or non-injury. Monks wear a veil. Even lay people forbidden to drink after sunset. The Jain community is composed of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. There are two distinct religious groups: the Digambaras (the sky-clad) and the Svetambaras (the white clad). This division probably occurred around 300 B.C. over two issues: the nature of Mahavira and monastic nudity. Page 6

7 The Digambaras (the sky-clad) and the Svetambaras (the white clad) Though they both believe in the same doctrines that are important to Jainism, their practices are different. It is worthwhile to see what the exact differences between the Digambara and Svetambara sects of Jainism are. Literally, the monks of the Dig-am-bar-as are naked, while those of the S-ve-tam-bar-as wear white clothes. In fact there are no fundamental doctrinal differences between the two sects. For example, the most authoritative sacred text of all Jainas is the Tatt-varthad-hi-gam-a-sutra by Umasvati. However, there are some major as well as minor points on which the two sects are opposed to each other. Some Points of differences Practice of Nudity Digambaras stress the practice of nudity as an absolute pre-requisite to the mendicant's path and to the attainment of salvation. But the Svetambaras assert that the practice of complete nudity is not essential to attain liberation. Liberation of Woman Digambaras believe that a woman lacks the adamantine body and rigid will necessary to attain moksa, i.e., liberation: hence she must be reborn as a man before such an attainment is possible. But the Svetambaras hold the contrary view and maintain that women are capable in the present life time, of the same spiritual accomplishments as men. Page 7

8 Food for Omniscient According to the Digambaras, once a saint becomes a kevali or Kevala-jnani, that is, omniscient, he needs no morsel of food. But this view is not acceptable to the Svetambaras. Minor points of Differences Leaving aside the trivial differences in rituals, customs and manners, the following are some of the minor points on which the two sects of Digambaras and Svetambaras do not agree: Embryo of Mahavira The Digambaras, however, dismiss the whole episode as unreliable and absurd. The Svetambaras believe that Mahavira was born of a Ksatriya lady, Trisala, though conception took place in the womb of a Brahman lady, Devananda. The change of embryo is believed to have been effected by God Indra on the eighty-third day after conception. Marriage of Mahavira The Digambaras deny this assertion altogether. The Svetambaras believe that Mahavira married Princess Yasoda at a fairly young age and had a daughter from her by name Anojja or Priyadarsana and that Mahavira led a full-fledged householder's life till he was thirty, when he became an ascetic. Tirthankara Mallinatha The Digambaras state that Mallinatha was a male. The Svetambaras consider Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankar as a female by name Mall; Idols of Tirthankars The Digambara tradition represents the idols of Tirthankars as nude. Unadorned and with downcast eyes in the contemplative mood. The Svetambara tradition depicts the idols of Tirthankars as wearing a loin-cloth, bedecked with jewels and with glass eyes inserted in the marble. Canonical Literature While the Digambaras hold that the original and genuine texts were lost long ago. The Digambaras also refuse to accept the achievements of the first council which met under the leadership of Acharya Sthulabhadra and consequently the recasting of the angas. The Svetambaras believe in the validity and sacredness of canonical literature, that is, the twelve angas and sutras, as they exist now. Page 8

9 Charitras and Puranas The Digambaras make use of the term 'Purana' for the biographies of great teachers. The Svetambaras use the term 'Charitra'. Food of Ascetics The Digambara monks take food standing and with the help of knotted upturned palms and in one house only where their sankalpa (preconceived idea) is fulfilled. The Svetambara monks collect their food from different houses. Dress of Ascetics The Digambara monks of the ideal nirgrantha type are naked. The Svetambara monks wear white clothes Possessions of Ascetics The Digambara ascetic is allowed only two possessions (viz., a the pichhi, a peacock-feather whisk-broom) and a kamandalu (a wooden water-pot). The Svetambara ascetic is allowed to have fourteen possessions including loin-cloth, shoulder-cloth, etc. Key Practices and Beliefs of Jainism Meditation (samayika) - the process of eliminating self-centered thinking and becoming united with the spirit that governs the universe. Mantras - the Five Homages (panka namaskarais) are recited on a daily basis, usually in the morning; another mantra called ahimsa vikas, helps Jains to pursue a life without violence. Worship - takes place at stone temples or at wooden shrines near the house which resemble the temple itself. Fasting - occurs at mostly festivals and holy days. Page 9

10 Small brooms - are carried to sweep insects away from their path. Jain nuns and monks - do not accept food that is not cooked by themselves, they do not physically touch people of the opposite sex, and they wear simple white clothes or even nothing at all. A disciplined life - is expected from all believers of Jainism, not only the monks or the nuns. Sacred Rituals - performed at the temple. These are some of the rituals: Puja Samayik Namokar Mantra These are some of the rituals: Puja - is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. Samayik - important ritual practice of Jainism to come closer to our soul. Sit down in one place for forty-eight minutes of isolating from activities. (Read religious books, pray, worship, recite mantras, or do meditation. Remove regular clothes and wear simple, but clean white cotton clothes which are kept for samayik only. Namokar Mantra (because we are bowing down.) The Navkär Mantra contains the main message of Jainism. The message is very clear. If we want to be liberated from this world then we have to take the first step of renunciation by becoming a monk or a nun. This is the beginning. If we stay on the right path then we will proceed to a higher state, Arihant, and ultimately proceed to Siddha after nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The goal of every Jain is, or should be, to become a siddha. Page 10