It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived and maintained and practiced their religion. This book provides an orderly and clear exposition of jainism as a philosophy and way of life, jain history, and the jains as a people. Matthews, mary evelyn tucker, and philip hefner, 283292. Mencius interpretation of confucianism has generally been considered the orthodox version by subsequent chinese philosophers, especially the neoconfucians of the song dynasty. Although there are many jainis in india, most people, including many jainis, do not know about the philosophy of jainism. Other beings and their statements about absolute truth are incomplete, and at best a partial truth. The word jain is taken from the word jina, which means getting victory over thy self and the peripheral world. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. However, jainism has remained an integral part of the religious landscape of south asia, despite the common beginnings shared with ajivikism. Philosopher john koller probes the jain theory of manysidedness anekanta as an antidote to. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. See all 5 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. Contributors to this book bring perspectives from the disciplines of philosophy, religious studies, history essays in this volume offer fresh insights into jain principles of ahimsa and anekanta by examining their meaning and historical significance, and demonstrating their relevance and role in addressing contemporary issues of intolerance, conflict, violence, and war. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email. Indian language vocabulary is also wellexplained mostly sanskrit. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. For jainism worship is a means to personal spiritual and karmic development, it is not actually worship for exultation or devotion to any particular entity. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. This volume focuses on buddhism and jainism, two religions which, together with hinduism, constitute the three pillars of indic religious tradition in its classical formulation.
Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Three of jainism foundational spiritual beliefs are nonviolence ahimsa, nonabsolutism anekanta, and nonpossession apraigraha. Jains derive their name from the jinas, spiritual conquerors who had achieved liberation and perfection. The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. J546 mahapragya, jainism and its philosophical foundations. Aug 29, 2008 what is kalpa sutra and why do jains read it.
Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Many jains worship at temple everyday, while others do so much less frequently. Ajivikism was once ranked one of the most important religions in india between the 4th and 2nd centuries bce, after buddhism, brahmanism and before jainism, but is now a forgotten indian religion. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Jainism is an ancient indian religion that emphasizes nonviolence and the ascetic life. Jains worship in temples which contain images of the 24 tirthankaras. This playlist contains pravachans lectures on how and why the future is predestined and why are you incapable of changing it. What science and religion tell us about the story of the universe and our place in it, eds.
The first foundational spiritual belief is the principle of nonviolence, which is strong in jain teachings. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions.
The jinas are considered more respectable than the gods. The holy texts that are considered authoritative depend on the group and the. Such an important book since so few books on eastern philosophy cover the same ground found in the pages covering anekanta. Jainism religion bhagwan mahavir jain symbol belief. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. The first book of this endowment series titled facets of jainism was published in january 2005 which was a compilation of 9 papers related to jainism in tamilnadu. Essays in this volume offer fesh insights into jain principles of ahimsa and anekanta by examining their meaning and historical significance, and demonstrate. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Anekanta part 1 first steps to jainism part2 sancheti asoo lal bhandari manak mal appendix f. Contributors to this book bring perspectives from the disciplines of philosophy, religious studies, history and art history.
Jun 29, 2014 although there are many jainis in india, most people, including many jainis, do not know about the philosophy of jainism. Nonviolence is a kind of goddess according to mahavira. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. Michael tobias has described nonviolanceahimsa in great details. All knowledge claims, according to the anekantavada. J549 dineshbhai mody, jain wisdom, vk 87, 2000, 156159. Jul 12, 2011 the basic tenets of jainism are explained in three great principles namely nonviolence or ahimsa, nonpossession or apraigraha and nonabsolutism or anekanta. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Mar 20, 2017 the book shows how buddhism and jainism share the basic concepts of karma, rebirth, and liberation with hinduism while giving them their own hue, and how they differ from the hindu tradition in their understanding of the role of the vedas, the caste system, and ritualism in religious life. 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. Mencius also spelled mengzi or mengtzu, a book of his conversations with kings of the time, is one of the four books which form the core of orthodox confucian thinking. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws.
Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. I was a student of philosophy in the allahabad university, and was deeply. According to jainism, no single, specific statement can describe the nature of existence and the absolute truth. Their texts have never presented a theory for holy war. It began in the 6th century bce, the same time as buddhism was developing.
Jainism is a religion where the follower is expected to help themselves towards salvation, through thinking and acting in the proper way. In jainism, however, syadvada and anekanta is not a theory of uncertainty, doubt or. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. This knowledge kevala jnana, it adds, is comprehended only by the arihants. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. 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.
The diverse hindu schools such as nyayavaisheshika, samkhyayoga and mimamsavedanta, all accepted the premise of atman that unchanging permanent soul. It teaches that the universe is eternal and that every living being. 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. It embraces the wellbeing of all animals that are visible and invisible. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all. 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. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. 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. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas.
Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism. List of books and articles about jainism online research. The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects. It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived. Jainism is one of the most ancient religions that originated in eastern india and it was founded around the 6th century. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. For crosscultural discussion of religious beliefs, phenomena, and practices, see. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Bibliography jainism religion yale forum on religion. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously.
Although it is not possible exactly to determine the date of its origin, there is no. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. According to karl potter, the jain anekantavada doctrine emerged in a milieu that included buddhists and hindus in ancient and medieval india. Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. This channel is dedicated to educating people about jainism. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. It explores their history and relates how the vedic period in the history of hinduism drew to a close around the sixth century bce and how its gradual etiolation gave rise to a number of religious. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture.
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. So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already and had a long tradition. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. Essays in this volume offer fresh insights into jain principles of ahimsa and anekanta by examining their meaning and historical significance, and demonstrate their relevance and role in addressing contemporary issues of intolerance, conflict, violence and war. Difference between jainism and hinduism compare the. Nathmal tatia introductory the concept of anekant occupies a central position in jaina philosophy. The basic tenets of jainism are explained in three great principles namely nonviolence or ahimsa, nonpossession or apraigraha and nonabsolutism or anekanta. Furthermore, the earliest buddhist texts discuss jainism in some detail. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The present book entitled environmental awareness in jainism is the second of the series of the publication under the above endowment fund by the department of jainology.
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