Jainism
Origin
Jainism is a religion or lifestyle that developed out of ancient Hinduism. Although the two are very similar, Jainism arose as an opposition to Hinduism. It dates back to 6th century, specifically 550 BC, in the Indian state of Bihar.. The word Jainism is derived from the "Jinas", or conqueror(specifically conquerors of worldly passions., which are the 24 tirthankaras, or teachers. The 24th tirthankara, Mahavira is said to be the founder of Jainism. He preached the path to enlightenment and toward becoming a Jina to his followers.
Beliefs
In Jainism there is no creator god, instead the ultimate goal is to reach enlightenment and liberate one's soul, or more simply known as "moksha". Jainism institutes that all souls are put through the cycle of "samsara" while still in a matter state. Samsara is the continuous cycle of rebirth and death and the path toward liberation of the soul. The tirthankaras are enlightened beings who act as teachers. Jains believe the multi-verse is attributed with three realms: hellish, earthly/heavenly, and siddhas, for the liberated souls. To reach enlightenment one must liberate the soul and become a Jina.
There are two sects of jainism. They are known as Digambara and Svetambara. In Sanskrit, "ambar" refers to covering like a garment."Dig" ifs referring to the cardinal directions. So Digambar therfore means those whose garments only go in four directions. also known as "sky-clad". "Svet" means the color white and so Svetambars only wear white clothing. There are both similarities and differences in thee two denominations .For example, the reason Digambars wear no clothing (mainly monks) is because they believe that clothing is just another worldly possession that increases neediness for materialistic things that will eventually lead into sorrow. But Svetambars on the other hand, argue that nowhere in Jain scriptures is clothing condemned. Nonetheless, nuns of both sects wear white seamless garments. Digambars believe that women cannot attain moksha because Digambara aestheticism requires nudity and that is not feasible to women. So they will have to wait until the next life. Again as the opposition, Svetambars argue that women can attain moksha and that the tirthankara Mallinath,was in fact a female. Digambars believe that the Great Mahavira was not married, while Svetambars believe that him being a prince, had a wife and even a daughter.In the first Jain prayer, the Namokara Mantra, Digambars believe that only the first five lines are plausible, while Svetambaras consider the entire mantra plausible.
|
The Namokara Mantra
Namo Arihantanam
I bow in reverence to Arihants
Namo Siddhanam
I bow in reverence to Siddhas
Namo Ayariyanam
I bow in reverence to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam
I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam
I bow in reverence to all Sadhus
Eso Panch Namoyaro
This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano
Destroys all sins
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim
And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam
Is the most auspicious one
I bow in reverence to Arihants
Namo Siddhanam
I bow in reverence to Siddhas
Namo Ayariyanam
I bow in reverence to Acharyas
Namo Uvajjhayanam
I bow in reverence to Upadhyayas
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam
I bow in reverence to all Sadhus
Eso Panch Namoyaro
This five-fold salutation
Savva Pavappanasano
Destroys all sins
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim
And amongst all auspicious things
Padhamam Havai Mangalam
Is the most auspicious one
Jain festivals, keeping the strong element of asceticism, traditionally lack gaiety, color, and elaborate practices. Most Jain religious holy days are observed with fasting, pilgrimages, and offerings of prayer. On the holiday Paryushan, which is celebrated in August and ends the Jain year making it very important, Jains fast and meditate for a period of 8 to 10 days. Then on the last day, they ask forgiveness for all livings things they might've harmed in thought, word, and deed. During this holiday, it is custom for Jains to seek forgiveness from friends and neighbors, for family elders to reconcile with younger members, and for employers to ask pardon from their employees, The poor are fed and given alms, and Jain idols are paraded through the streets in extravagantly decorated "rathas" or processional carts.
|
Jainism's main belief system consist of:
- Non-violence
- Truth or Honesty
- No Theft
- Celibacy
- Non-possessiveness
Jains believe that if these guidelines are followed throughout ones's life, then that person embark on a faster path toward enlightenment.
Growth and spreading
Before the time of Mahavira, Jainism had already been established as a very important religion in mainly South India. But it was during the eighth century that it had crossed the Indian ocean and became one of the most important religions of ancient Ceylon, or modern day Sri Lanka. There the great Lankan kings were said to have erected grand temples and statues of the tirthankaras. A Jain monk by the name of Kalakacarya was said to have traveled and preached in Burma. Another monk named Rsabhadeva had traveled to Bali, Greece, Svarnabhumi,and even Iran.The tirthankara did missionary work in Nepal. Afghanistan had even been touched by Jainism. evidence of this lies in the various images of the great tirthankaras in a mediation pose that appear on stone structures. In the Digambara division of Jainism, missionary work had been done in Iran and Siam. Greek literature mentions Jain monks existence in Egypt. Abyssinia, and even Ethiopia.
|
impact
In a time where the Hindu caste system ruled society and enforced social classes on the people, Jainism was an elaborate escape from such an unfair life. Jainism introduced something that the ancient vedic societies had never seen before, social equality. With the time of tirthankara Mahavira, social classes became based on the actions of those people, not hereditary lineage. Women's position drastically improved, allowing them to associate themselves with the religious texts and observe the necessary duties of a Jain.