Jainism is an ancient indian religion, which takes as its central tenet the wellbeing of the universe and all living beings within it. Rather, there are many religious texts the most wellknown of which are the agams that include transcriptions of the oral history provided to us by tirthankars and jain teachers, as well as scholarly commentary on the interpretation of the religion. 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. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures.
While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of each sect is same. In jainism, moksha is the highest and the noblest objective that a soul should strive to achieve. However, in buddhism there is what is known as the three baskets in sanskrit tripitika which consists of the vinayabasket the monastic precepts, regulations, and stories related to the establishment of the sang. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Goats and soda a member of the ancient religion of jainism who is very sick or very old may opt.
Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. Jain texts such as acaranga sutra and tattvarthasutra state that one must. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor referring to the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths by destroying karma through an ethical and spiritual life.
That is why in sagara dharmamrta, the standard jaina book dealing. The essence of jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of universe itself. In jainism the important festivals are gyan panchnami, maun ekadhasi, mahaveer jayanthi, paryushan. Jainism, along with buddhism and charvaka, is considered part of the heterodox systems also referred to as heresies of indian philosophy. The following are the most sacred holy books in hinduism. Jainism beliefs are very different from the beliefs that many people follow. Rajchandra kalpasutra, acharangacomplete translation searchable texts. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. Find here a list of selected books on the various aspects of jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras, life and teachings of mahavira and jaina tradition. These are called anuvratas small vows for jain laypersons, and mahavratas. It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The american people spend thousands of dollars to propagate the doctrines of the fall of man, the creation of the world out of nothing in six days by a personal god, vicarious atonement, absolution from sin by the shedding of innocent blood.
Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Shatkhandagam and dhavala ratna karanda sravakachara of a. Ahimsa nonviolence ahimsa means nonviolence or noninjury. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. These are further divided into different subsects and traditions. Jain texts mentions that attachment to possessions parigraha is of two kinds. According to jainism, universe and its constituents are uncreated and everlasting. Jainism is an indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twentyfour spiritual teachers known as tirthankara. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. Thus they can be found in the earliest holy texts of the jain. 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. The religion of monks consists of five mahavratas or great vows.
Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore knowledge of the. In fact, it is the only objective that a person should have.
Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self effort to progress ones soul on the spiritual ladder to god consciousness. Jainism books discover jainism books at vedic books. Shvetambara monks are allowed to retain a few possessions such as a robe, an alms bowl, a whisk broom, and a mukhavastrika a piece of cloth held over the mouth to protect against the ingestion of small insects, which are presented by a senior monk at the time of initiation. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Little is known outside of india about jainism, and here at vedic books we give you the opportunity to. The first major vow taken by jains is to love and cause. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists.
Wealth, property, grains, house, books, clothes, etc. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches way to liberation by living the lives of harmlessness and renunciation. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. Globally, the most wellknown impact of jainism is its influence on the life of gandhi. He learned the concepts of nonpossessiveness, nonviolence, and selfcontrol to lead a simple personal life. Among these, paryushan is the most important annual holy events celebrated in august or september. In many traditions, this relation and these concerns are expressed in terms of ones relationship with or attitude. Jainism is one of indias most precious and fascinating religions and its followers are living examples of a life of purity, sanctity and spirituality. The daily prayerbook the parsis use everyday is khordeh avesta the smaller avesta. An introduction will therefore be of interest to anyone interested in the global religious history of humanity, and additionally to anyone striving to construct a morally responsible stance on how humans can learn to live together in all their religious differences. The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion.
Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. The five great vows apply only to ascetics in jainism, and in their place are five minor vows for householders. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. The historic texts of jains accept that any activity by a layperson would involve some form of himsa violence to some living beings, and therefore the minor vow emphasizes reduction of the impact and active efforts to protect. The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. Jainism is just not a religion, its a way of living life. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. 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.
Religion, human beings relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. Five mahavratas five principles of living jain square. To achieve moksha or liberation of the soul, one must observe five great vows ahimsa or ahinsa nonviolence. Jains use evil to deny the existence of a god or holy. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at.
Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. The videvat are religious law books laying down codes of conduct and procedures for penance. The 5 mahavratas are one of the great teachings of mahavira.
Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Jainism is one of the oldest religions known today and its origin lies in india. Five great vows mahavratas of jainism jainism literature. Among these five vows, nonviolence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and. While gandhi grew up in the hindu religion, his household was strongly influenced by jainism. They are endowed with right faith, right knowledge and right conduct and engaged in complete selfrestraint and penances. Five great vows mahavratas of jainism taken by jain. Jainism is an ancient indian religion prescribing a path of nonviolence for all forms of living beings in this world. Any soul that has conquered its inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina conqueror or victor. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Part 1 topics include shree simandhar bhagwan, saat tattva sambandhi bhul, lakshan ane lakshanabash, panchma gunustanvarti shravak ni 11 pratimao, sukh shu che, panch bhavo, char abhav, panch pandavo, bhavna batrisi. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. These are vows jains must make and follow for their entire life. Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions.
Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and svetambara. Jains do not believe in a god or gods in the way that many other religions do, but they do believe in divine or at least perfect beings who are worthy of devotion. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Samantabhadra chhah dhala of daulatram atmasiddhi of shri. The aim of jainism is to achieve liberation of the soul, which jains believe can be achieved through a life devoted to nonviolence and the rejection of possessions. Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of worlds.
With the right view, knowledge and efforts all souls can attain this state. However, the holy books in hinduism are the basis on which we have evolved our culture and way of living. Its philosophy is grounded in the doctrine of the yajurveda but it was systematized by vardhamana also known as mahavira who substituted the authority of the vedas with logic and experience and also reinterpreted most of the key ideas available in indian. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. 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. 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. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax. In olden times, monks strictly followed the five great vows of jainism. Jains believe that the 24th jina, mahavira, handed down the vows as a vital part of his teachings. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. Jain ethical code prescribes two dharmas or rules of conduct.
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. The holy text of the zoroastrians is the avesta, composed in a language belonging to the early iranaian group of languages and resembling the language of the vedas. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the jain scriptures should no longer be in danger. The religious scriptures are not followed word to word. Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god.
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