Jainism

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, covering its key aspects:

This document, a section from the book "Jainism" by Pravin K. Shah, published by the JAINA Education Committee, introduces Jainism as a religion of human origin focused on self-effort and liberation from suffering.

Core Beliefs and Concepts:

• Concept of God: Jainism does not believe in a creator, protector, or destroyer God. Instead, it venerates highly evolved human beings who have achieved omniscience and self-control through their own efforts, becoming "Gods" or liberated souls (Siddhas). The concept of divine incarnations to destroy evil is also rejected.
• The Jina: A "Jina" is a conqueror who has overcome worldly passions like desire, hatred, anger, greed, and pride. Jinas are human beings, not supernatural beings, and all humans have the potential to become one.
• Tirthankaras: These are special Jinas who establish religious orders and spiritual lineages. The text mentions twenty-four Tirthankaras, with Lord Mahavir being the last of the current era.
• Eternal Nature: Jainism is considered an eternal religion that has been revived from time to time by prophets like the Tirthankaras.
• Lord Mahavir: The twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of this era, Bhagwan Mahavir (Vardhaman), revived Jain philosophy about 2600 years ago. He was a prince who renounced his worldly life at age thirty to seek a solution to suffering. He spent over twelve years in intense meditation, practicing extreme non-violence, fasting, and enduring hardships, ultimately achieving perfect enlightenment (Kevaljnana). For the next thirty years, he traveled and preached the truth of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and suffering (Moksha). He attained Nirvana at age 72.
• Reformer, Not Founder: Mahavir is presented as a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order, building upon the teachings of his predecessor, Bhagwan Parshva. He reorganized philosophical tenets for his time.
• Philosophy of the Universe: The universe is seen as eternal, without beginning or end, operating on a cyclical wheel of time. This cycle influences human prosperity, happiness, and lifespan.
• The Doctrine of Karma: This is a central tenet. Souls are bound by karmic atoms accumulated through vices (anger, ego, deceit, greed) and actions of body, mind, and speech. Karma explains the phenomena of birth, death, happiness, misery, and inequalities.
• Path to Liberation (Moksha): Liberation is achieved by following the "Three Jewels": Right Faith (Samyak-darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak-jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak-charitra). This involves understanding the six universal substances and nine fundamental truths, and practicing non-violence, self-purification, compassion, penance, austerity, and meditation.
• Six Universal Substances (Dravya): Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasa (space), and Kala (time).
• Nine Tattvas (Principles): Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-living), Asrava (influx of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), Punya (virtue), Papa (sin), Samvara (stoppage of karma), Nirjara (exhaustion of karma), and Moksha (liberation).
• Ethical Code and the Five Great Vows: The supreme ideal is Ahimsa (Non-violence), encompassing speech, thought, and action towards all living beings. The five great vows are:
  1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Not to harm any living being.
  2. Satya (Truthfulness): To speak harmless truth.
  3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Not to take what is not given.
  4. Brahmacharya (Chastity): To control sensual pleasures.
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment): Complete detachment from worldly things.
• Anekantavada (Doctrine of Manifold Aspects): Emphasizes that reality has infinite viewpoints, leading to the Syadvada (Doctrine of Relativity), where truth is relative to different perspectives. This promotes tolerance and avoids narrow, egocentric views.
• Social Responsibility: The principle of non-possession translates into minimizing personal accumulation and engaging in charitable donations and community service. Jains are known for establishing schools, hospitals, and homes for the needy, as well as animal welfare facilities.
• Waste and Pollution as Violence: The text highlights a radical Jain view that waste and pollution are acts of violence.
• Hastening Death: Jainism uniquely allows spiritually advanced individuals to hasten their death through practices like fasting under specific circumstances.
• Goals: The ultimate goal is to achieve perfect enlightenment and eternal bliss, ending the cycle of rebirth.

Social Impact and Community:

• Social Equality: Mahavir attracted people from all walks of life and promoted social equality, including among previously "untouchable" groups.
• Four-Fold Order: Mahavir organized followers into monks (Sadhu), nuns (Sadhvi), laymen (Shravak), and laywomen (Shravika), known as the Jain Sangh.
• Demographics: Six to eight million Jains live primarily in India, with about 100,000 in North America and other countries.
• Sects: Centuries after Mahavir, the Jain order divided into two major sects: Digambar (monks wear no clothes) and Swetambar (monks wear white clothes). Both share fundamental philosophical views, though sub-sects exist, including those that practice idol worship and those that do not.

Jain Scriptures:

• Mahavir's teachings were orally compiled into the Jain Agam or Agam Sutras by his disciples. These were passed down orally for about a thousand years before being documented.
• Swetambar Jains accept these Sutras as authentic versions of Mahavir's teachings.
• The Agam Sutras emphasize reverence for all life, vegetarianism, asceticism, non-violence, and opposition to war.