The tenets of jainism and facts about mahavira are important for ias exam as it makes significant part of indian ancient history and indian culture ncert notes on important topics for the upsc civil services exam. The word religion means a creed or a set of beliefs. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non violence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. Jainism is based on an ancient indian religious philosophy called sramana, which. Contrary to what some might think, it is not in any sense a poor relation of buddhism, nor is a strange, atheistic and ascetic sect within hinduism.
Jain intellectual and social history toward nonjains, according to cort, has been contrary to the modern revisionist attempts, particularly by diaspora jains, to present jains having exhibited a spirit of understanding and tolerance toward nonjains, or that jains were rare or unique in practicing religious tolerance in indian intellectual history. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. The three main principles of jainism are ahimsa nonviolence, anekantvad non absolutism and aparigraha non possessiveness. The three main principles of jainism are ahimsa nonviolence, anekantavada nonabsolutism, and aparigraha nonpossessiveness. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. Jainism stresses on the importance of controlling the senses including the mind, as they can drag one.
The doctrine of anekantvada in jain philosophy shodhganga. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax. The teachings of jainism are based on three principles including non violence, non absolutism, and non possessiveness. Groundwork first steps to jainism part1 groundwork sancheti asoo lal bhandari manak mal jainism, as the name indicates, is the religion preached by the jinas. It includes respecting views of others non absolutism jainism stresses on the importance of controlling the senses, as they are the gateway for creating souls attachments and aversions to non living matter. Religious values and ideology in india hardcover by john, e. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. Literally the word jina means a conqueror, but jinas who prescribed the set of beliefs.
Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of selfeffort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. In jain history, it was a metaphysical doctrine and a philosophical method to. Jainism is, above all, the religion of non violence ahimsa, an ideal which all other religions of india were subsequently to make theirs and which was made universal by gandhi in the 20th century. This view states that anekantavada is an expression of religious tolerance of other opinions and harmony. Aug 02, 2009 non violence is compassion and forgiveness in thoughts, words and actions toward all living beings.
The second main principle of jainism is anekantavada nonabsolutism. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. Ive read a few books that point to jainism as an important influence. What was the extent of jain thoughts influence on early buddhism. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on selfeffort in progressing the soul on the spiritual ladder to divine consciousness.
Is nonabsolutism is absolute, it is not universal since there is one real which is absolute and. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Mahatma gandhis principles of religious tolerance, ahimsa and satyagraha. And it is also the religion of nonabsolutism anekantavada, a particular form of philosophical pluralism, which. Jainism stresses the importance of controlling the senses including the mind, as they can drag one. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. Some indian writers state that anekantavada is an inclusivist doctrine positing that jainism accepts non jain teachings as partial versions of truth, a form of sectarian tolerance. Jainism pronounced, also called jain dharma is an ancient dharmic religion from india that prescribes a path of non violence for all forms of living beings in this world.
This oldest wisdom of mankind is being made available in all the languages for the benefit of humanity with movements like mission 24l. Not only this, it has been accorded a special religious status. In 300 words jainism is the philosophy and religion of jainas the followers of religion preached and practised by the thirthankaras, the last of whom was lord mahavir. Early jain texts were not composed in vedic or classical sanskrit, but in ardhamagadhi prakrit language. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Equally interesting for non jains of either indian, non indian, or western origin, and for students and scholars of non violence, vegetarianism, and ecology. India has been the birthland and playground of different types of philosophies, even the rustics and the illiterate talk about brahman and atman, maya and moksa, anekanta and ahimsa. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. The teachings of the twenty four tirthankaras were first composed in fourteen purvas and later in twelve angpravishthaagams an ang being a limb by ganadhars themselves. The heterodox hindu religion, founded in the 6th century as a revolt against hinduism. Right perception, right knowledge and right conduct triple gems of jainism provide the path for attaining liberation moksha from the cycles of birth and death samsara.
Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism. Many of these scholars are in fact hostile to the very subject. Cort and paul dundas state that, while jainism indeed teaches non violence as the highest ethical value, the reinterpretation of anekantavada as religious tolerance of other opinions is a misreading of the original doctrine. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self effort to progress ones soul on the spiritual ladder to god consciousness.
Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. A few centuries after mahavirs nirvana, the jain religious order sangha. The systematic exposition of this doctrine found only in jain scriptures that embody the. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. An indian religion that prescribes a path of nonviolence toward all living. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality.
Jainworld is a nonprofit taxexempt membership and donationsupported organization dedicated to jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. It leads to a state of being unattached to worldly things and being nonjudgmental and nonviolent. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. The principle of nonviolence or ahimsa is the most fundamental and well known aspect of jain religious practice. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. Like buddhism, jainism is a religion without god which paradoxically opens to the truly sacred in the deepest reaches of all living beings in the cosmos. Jainism is an ancient indian religion prescribing a path of nonviolence for all forms of living beings in this world. Also, the sect comprising those adhering to jainism. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Jain texts such as acaranga sutra and tattvarthasutra state that one must. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and non specialists alike.
Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. It includes respecting views of others nonabsolutism jainism stresses on the importance of controlling the senses, as they are the gateway for creating souls attachments and aversions to nonliving matter. Any soul which has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina continue reading jainism. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. Nonviolence is seen as the most essential religious duty for everyone. All i know is second hand from reading a few books. This book offers an illuminating portrait of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. Jainworld is a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Any soul which has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina conqueror or victor. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email.
For jains, nonabsolutism means maintaining openmindedness. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. Michael tobias has described non violanceahimsa in great details. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. During its later semantic development, the term came to refer to several nonbrahmanical ascetic movements parallel to but separate from the vedic religion. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism. The central tenet is nonviolence and respect towards all living beings. This is accomplished through the supreme ideals in the jain religion of nonviolence, equal kindness, reverence for all forms of life, nonpossessiveness, and through the. Gandhi to adopt principles of religious tolerance and nonviolence. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Dec 01, 2010 like buddhism, jainism is a religion without god which paradoxically opens to the truly sacred in the deepest reaches of all living beings in the cosmos.
Nonviolence is compassion and forgiveness in thoughts, words and actions toward all living beings. Its philosophy and practice rely mainly on selfeffort in progressing the soul on the spiritual ladder to divine consciousness. And it is also the religion of non absolutism anekantavada, a particular form of philosophical pluralism, which seems astonishingly modern. The term in early vedic literature is predominantly used as an epithet for the rishis with reference to shrama associated with the ritualistic exertion. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Jainism encourages its adherents to consider the views and beliefs of their rivals and opposing parties. This includes the recognition of all perspectives, and a humble respect for differences in beliefs. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b.
The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Contact us 715 bellemeade place, alpharetta, ga 0004, usa. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. Noninjury to all living beings is the only religion. Any soul which has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being. Most of them are very scholarly and recount the doctrines in a clinical manner, sometimes without any insight. Jainism is an ancient indian religion prescribing a path of non violence for all forms of living beings in this world. Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Jun 20, 2019 the modern jainism is divided into two sects. Cort and paul dundas state that, while jainism indeed teaches nonviolence as the highest ethical value, the reinterpretation of anekantavada as religious tolerance of other opinions is a misreading of the original doctrine. From the jacket jainism is a tradition which dates back thousands of years, which is unbelievably rich and profound, and which has certain unmistakable signs of identity. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like banking po, ssc. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from.
Michael tobias has described nonviolanceahimsa in great details. The three main principles of jainism are ahimsa nonviolence, anekantvad nonabsolutism and aparigraha nonpossessiveness. With an exceptionally clear explanation of core jain beliefs including nonviolence, nonabsolutism or perhaps more easily understood as religious pluralism, detachment from materialism, and the karmic cycle, the author has indeed put the evolution of jain thought into an appropriate historical context visavis buddhism and hinduism. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse.
Jainism pronounced, also called jain dharma is an ancient dharmic religion from india that prescribes a path of nonviolence for all forms of living beings in this world. The principle of non violence, also known as ahimsa, is the most famous and fundamental principle of jainism. Any soul that has conquered its inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina conqueror or victor. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. Jainism an introduction introductions to religion long, jefferyd on amazon. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama. Religion learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Others scholars state this is incorrect and a reconstruction of jain history because jainism has consistently seen itself in exclusivist term as the one true path. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives.
Jainism encourages spiritual development through cultivation of ones own personal wisdom and reliance on selfcontrol by means of. Vardhana mahavira was the 24th tirthankara a great teacher and is said to have propounded jainism. Jain theism concept of god in jainism harvard university. It leads to a state of being unattached to worldly things and being nonjudgmental and non violent. And it is also the religion of nonabsolutism anekantavada, a particular form of philosophical pluralism, which seems astonishingly modern. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf. Jainism dharmic religions wiki fandom powered by wikia. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Jaina logic of anekanta is based not on abstract intellectualism but on experience.
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