Jain Philosophy And Religion Introduction

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Philosophy and Religion Introduction":

This introductory text from the Jain Center of Southern California outlines the core tenets and philosophical underpinnings of Jainism, presenting it as an ancient, human-originated religion focused on achieving spiritual freedom through self-mastery and ethical conduct.

Core Principles and Goals:

• Spiritual Excellence: Jainism is described as a path of "discovery" and "rising to a standard of moral and spiritual excellence." It emphasizes personal responsibility for one's actions and destiny.
• Overcoming Inner Causes of Suffering: The philosophy teaches how to overcome inner "hatred, desire and destructive passion," and external "aggression, pride, deceit and greed" that distract the soul from its true, brilliant, and self-contained spiritual identity.
• True Nature of the Self: The inherent nature of the soul is described as infinite happiness, unlimited knowledge, perfect self-control, and unobstructed vision of all existence. This is the ultimate goal of Jain practice.
• The Path of the Jinas: Jainism is the "path of the Jinas," meaning "conquerors." A Jina (also called Kevalin or Arihant) is an individual who has subdued their senses, silenced passions, eliminated attachment and aversion, and attained absolute knowledge and peace.
• Innate Potential for Freedom: All living beings possess the innate potential to be free from ignorance, debilitating thoughts, and worldly distractions. Jainism provides a path, illuminated by past individuals who achieved this freedom, to realize this potential.

Key Concepts and Beliefs:

• The Soul (Atman):
  • Existence: The soul exists and is real, distinct from the body and mental constructs.
  • Eternality and Independence: The soul is eternal, uncreated, and indestructible. It is the sole agent of its own experiences and actions.
  • Responsibility: Individuals are solely responsible for their own actions (mental, verbal, and physical).
  • Repercussions: Actions have repercussions that affect the soul's ability to perceive reality.
  • Liberation: The soul has the capacity to attain liberation, achieving complete knowledge, perception, control, and everlasting freedom.
  • Path to Liberation: This state is achievable through the "Three Jewels": Right Perception (Faith), Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct.
• The Jain Concept of "God": Jainism does not recognize an external, creator God in the conventional sense. Instead, "God" refers to the inherent, pure attributes of the soul itself, which include: infinite happiness, self-reliance, omniscience, infinite spiritual strength, infinite perception, immunity to attraction/repulsion, absence of material properties, and equality with all other souls. Worship is directed towards embodying these perfected qualities.
• Ahinsa (Non-violence): This is the "golden rule" of Jainism, encompassing non-violence in thought, word, and deed. It stems from the belief that all souls are spiritually equal and deserve respect and safety. Non-violence is presented as a positive path to glory and spiritual advancement.
• Tirthankaras: These are "Crossing Makers" or great omniscient teachers who have achieved the ultimate spiritual goal and guided humanity. The most recent to deliver the message were Lord Parshva and Lord Mahavira. They are not founders but the last in a lineage of 24 such teachers.
• PanchaParamesthi (The Five Supreme Spiritual Beings): These represent stages of spiritual attainment:
  1. Arihanta/Jina/Tirthankara: Souls who have reached non-attachment and overcome inner enemies.
  2. Siddha: Liberated souls.
  3. Acharya: Spiritual leaders who guide congregations.
  4. Upadhyay: Scholars who have mastered Jain scriptures and teach others.
  5. Sadhu/Sadhvi: Monks and nuns who have renounced worldly life.
• Five Great Vows: Taken by ascetics, these are absolute Non-violence, Truthfulness, Non-stealing, Celibacy, and Non-attachment.
• Kalyanak (Auspicious Events): Five major life events of a Tirthankara: Conception, Birth, Initiation (Diksha), Omniscience (Kevaljnan), and Nirvana (Liberation).
• The Path of Liberation (The Three Jewels):
  1. Right Perception (Faith): Understanding the true nature of reality, oneself, the spiritual goal, and the path through analysis and verification.
  2. Right Knowledge: Possessing true, correct, and relevant knowledge of reality, including the six universal substances (soul, matter, motion, rest, space, time) and nine principles (soul, non-living, karma influx, bondage, virtue, sin, prevention, eradication, liberation).
  3. Right Conduct: Acting in ways that honor spiritual nature and all souls, leading to liberation by freeing oneself from attachment and aversion through pure thought, word, and deed.
• Four Realms and Karma: Jainism explains the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth through the concept of karma. Living beings are reborn into one of four realms: human, heavenly, animal (including lower life forms and elements), or hellish. Human life is considered the most conducive for spiritual progress and achieving liberation.

Historical Context:

• Jainism is presented as one of the oldest world religions, originating in South Asia and predating Indo-European culture.
• It is not a protest or offshoot of another creed, and its principles have influenced other faiths.

In essence, Jain Philosophy and Religion Introduction posits Jainism as a profoundly ethical and introspective path that guides individuals to realize their inherent spiritual perfection and achieve ultimate freedom through self-discipline, right understanding, and compassionate action towards all life.