JES 102 Jainism I Basic Of Jainism Level 1 Book

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "$JES 102 Jainism I Basic of Jainism Level 1 Book" by the JAINA Education Committee, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Target Audience:

This book, "Jainism I - Basics of Jainism," is a foundational text designed for young learners and those new to Jainism. Its primary goal is to introduce the core principles, practices, and values of Jainism in an accessible and engaging manner. The book is particularly aimed at Jain youth in North America to foster a deeper understanding and connection to their heritage. It emphasizes the importance of religious education at an early age to strengthen the Jain community.

Key Themes and Content Covered:

The book is structured into several lessons, each focusing on a specific aspect of Jainism:

• Jain Prayers (Lessons 1 & Introduction to Prayers): Introduces the significance and recitation of the Navakär Mantra, the paramount prayer in Jainism. It also includes other auspicious prayers and their meanings, highlighting the veneration of Arihantas, Siddhas, Ächäryas, Upadhyays, and Sädhus (the Pancha Paramesthi).
• The Essence of Jainism (Lesson 2): Defines Jainism as the spiritual path of non-violence, emphasizing the concept of a "Jina" (spiritual victor) who overcomes inner enemies like anger, greed, and ego. It highlights the core principles of:
  • Ahimsa (Non-violence): Leading to compassionate living and selfless service.
  • Anekäntaväd (Non-absolutism): Respecting others' views for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
  • Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Respecting the environment and voluntary limits on desires for ethical living.
• The Jain Temple (Lessons 3 & 4): Describes the Jain temple as a sacred space called "Deräsar" or "Mandir." It details the architectural elements like the Shikhar and Dhajä, explains the importance of respectful behavior within the temple (removing shoes, quietness), and outlines the rituals involved in Pujä (worship), including Pranäm, Abhisheka, applying Chandan, ringing the bell, offering flowers, and performing Ärati and Mangal Divo. The symbolism of various elements and the concept of idols as mirrors of ideals are also discussed.
• Spiritual Gurus (Lesson 5): Explains the role of Sädhus and Sädhvis (monks and nuns) as spiritual guides who have renounced worldly possessions to dedicate their lives to religion. It describes their simple lifestyle, practices like fasting, and how to show respect to them (Matthen Vandämi).
• Family and Values (Lesson 6): Emphasizes the importance of family in transmitting Jain values. It highlights greetings like "Jai Jinendra," seeking blessings, praying daily, respecting all living beings, vegetarianism, and community service as integral parts of Jain family life.
• Lord Mahavir (Lesson 7): Narrates the story of Prince Vardhaman's encounter with a disguised heavenly being, earning him the name "Mahavir" (the brave and strong one). This lesson introduces the 24th Tirthankar and his teachings of kindness, truthfulness, and sharing.
• Religious Education (Lesson 8): Defines "Päthashälä" as a place to learn about Jainism and its values. It stresses the importance of attending regularly, respecting teachers and property, and learning to become a better person through Jain principles.
• Living Beings and Senses (Lessons 9 & 10): Differentiates between enlightened beings (Arihantas and Siddhas) and worldly beings (humans, animals, plants). It introduces the concept of Moksha (liberation) and explains the five sense organs (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) that help living beings interact with the world.
• Classification of Living Beings (Lesson 11): Elaborates on living beings based on their number of senses, from one-sensed beings (earth, water, fire, air, plants) to five-sensed beings (humans, animals). It reinforces the Jain principle of respecting all life forms and avoiding waste.
• Non-Living Things (Lessons 12): Distinguishes non-living things from living beings, emphasizing that while they lack feelings and senses, they should still be treated with care and respect.
• Virtues and Vices (Lessons 13 & 14): Details essential Jain virtues such as compassion, honesty, friendship, humility, contentment, forgiveness, and generosity. Conversely, it outlines vices like hurting others (by mind, body, or speech), lying, stealing, and possessiveness, underscoring the importance of ethical conduct.
• Practical Applications (Lessons 15-17): Provides actionable guidance for children, outlining "Do's" (like reciting the Navakär Mantra, respecting elders, being kind) and "Don'ts" (like hurting others, lying, getting angry). It also includes a story about the importance of polite speech.
• Managing Anger (Lesson 17): Addresses the emotion of anger, its negative consequences (bad karma, damaged relationships), and offers practical strategies for managing it, such as reciting the Navakär Mantra, deep breathing, and counting.
• Four Bhävanäs (Thoughts) (Lesson 18): Explains the four fundamental thoughts or meditations in Jainism:
  • Maitri Bhävanä (Friendship): Being friendly to all living beings.
  • Pramod Bhävanä (Appreciation): Appreciating others' successes and learning from them.
  • Karunä Bhävanä (Compassion): Being compassionate towards the suffering of others, including animals.
  • Mādhyastha Bhävanä (Neutrality): Remaining detached and uninvolved in negative situations to avoid accumulating bad karma.
• Stories Illustrating Compassion (Lessons 19 & 20): Features two parables:
  • The Compassion of the Elephant: Illustrates extreme compassion and selflessness, leading to a positive rebirth.
  • Metärya Muni: Highlights the virtue of non-violence and the willingness to endure suffering to protect another life, leading to spiritual attainment.
• Vegetarianism (Lessons 21-24): Strongly advocates for vegetarianism as a core Jain practice rooted in Ahimsä. It explains why Jains avoid meat, fish, and eggs, and also touches upon veganism and the avoidance of certain root vegetables. The lessons include practical scenarios like grocery shopping and school lunches to demonstrate how to maintain a vegetarian diet and read ingredient labels.
• Love for Animals (Lesson 25): Recounts the story of Prince Nemkumar, who renounced his marriage and worldly life to become a monk, demonstrating profound love and compassion for animals.
• Environmental Responsibility (Lessons 26 & 27): Connects Jain principles to environmental protection. It teaches children to care for their surroundings by saving resources (water, energy), recycling, reusing, and reducing waste, aligning with the Jain principle of non-possessiveness. The "Three R's" of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are explained.
• Jain Festivals (Lesson 28): Introduces major Jain festivals such as:
  • Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti): Celebrating Lord Mahavir's birth.
  • Paryushan: An eight-day festival of penance, self-control, and forgiveness.
  • Das Lakshana Parva: A ten-day festival focusing on ten virtues.
  • Diwali: Commemorating Mahavir Bhagawan's liberation (Nirvana).
  • Jain New Year: Celebrating the spiritual new year and Gautamswami's attainment of omniscience.

Publisher's Message and Acknowledgements:

The book is published by the JAINA Education Committee and is dedicated to the Jain Päthashälä teachers of North America for their commitment to religious awareness, non-violence, and environmental protection. The committee expresses its gratitude for the tireless efforts of the compiler, Parinda Shah, and her team of editors. The book is available for non-profit use and encourages feedback for future editions. It also promotes a vegan and alcohol/drug-free lifestyle as an extension of minimizing harm.

In essence, "Jainism I - Basics of Jainism" serves as an introductory guide to the fundamental beliefs and practices of Jainism, presented in a child-friendly format, encouraging ethical living, compassion, and respect for all life.