Jainism is one of the oldest religions known today and its origin lies in india. Jainism, along with buddhism and charvaka, is considered part of the heterodox systems also referred to as heresies of indian philosophy. Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and svetambara. 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. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. 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 videvat are religious law books laying down codes of conduct and procedures for penance. However, the holy books in hinduism are the basis on which we have evolved our culture and way of living. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at.
He learned the concepts of nonpossessiveness, nonviolence, and selfcontrol to lead a simple personal life. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. 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. In olden times, monks strictly followed the five great vows of jainism. 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.
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. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. 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.
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 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. In many traditions, this relation and these concerns are expressed in terms of ones relationship with or attitude. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. While gandhi grew up in the hindu religion, his household was strongly influenced by jainism. Jainism is an ancient indian religion, which takes as its central tenet the wellbeing of the universe and all living beings within it. 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. 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. To achieve moksha or liberation of the soul, one must observe five great vows ahimsa or ahinsa nonviolence. 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. The essence of jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of universe itself. Jainism is just not a religion, its a way of living life. 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. These are called anuvratas small vows for jain laypersons, and mahavratas.
The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Jains use evil to deny the existence of a god or holy. 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. List of world religions and founders, religious books. 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. 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 holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Ahimsa nonviolence ahimsa means nonviolence or noninjury. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. Its main goal is the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death maya. It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith.
Jainism is an ancient indian religion prescribing a path of nonviolence for all forms of living beings in this world. Samantabhadra chhah dhala of daulatram atmasiddhi of shri. With the right view, knowledge and efforts all souls can attain this state. The daily prayerbook the parsis use everyday is khordeh avesta the smaller avesta. Globally, the most wellknown impact of jainism is its influence on the life of gandhi. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self effort to progress ones soul on the spiritual ladder to god consciousness. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. Jain texts such as acaranga sutra and tattvarthasutra state that one must. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion.
Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Five great vows mahavratas of jainism jainism literature. The first major vow taken by jains is to love and cause.
According to jainism, universe and its constituents are uncreated and everlasting. Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the jain scriptures should no longer be in danger. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. Jains believe that the 24th jina, mahavira, handed down the vows as a vital part of his teachings. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. In jainism, moksha is the highest and the noblest objective that a soul should strive to achieve. Among these five vows, nonviolence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and. In jainism the important festivals are gyan panchnami, maun ekadhasi, mahaveer jayanthi, paryushan. Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of worlds. 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. Thus they can be found in the earliest holy texts of the jain. These are further divided into different subsects and traditions. Little is known outside of india about jainism, and here at vedic books we give you the opportunity to.
The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english. 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. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The religion of monks consists of five mahavratas or great vows. Shatkhandagam and dhavala ratna karanda sravakachara of a. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion.
Five mahavratas five principles of living jain square. According to jainism all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, or different. The five great vows apply only to ascetics in jainism, and in their place are five minor vows for householders. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of each sect is same. The 5 mahavratas are one of the great teachings of mahavira. Any soul that has conquered its inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina conqueror or victor. They are endowed with right faith, right knowledge and right conduct and engaged in complete selfrestraint and penances.
The religious scriptures are not followed word to word. Jain ethical code prescribes two dharmas or rules of conduct. Jainism is one of indias most precious and fascinating religions and its followers are living examples of a life of purity, sanctity and spirituality. Jainism is considered worlds most peaceful religion. Rajchandra kalpasutra, acharangacomplete translation searchable texts. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. These are vows jains must make and follow for their entire life. In fact, it is the only objective that a person should have. Religion, human beings relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. Jainism books discover jainism books at vedic books.
The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. 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. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. 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.
They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. 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. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches way to liberation by living the lives of harmlessness and renunciation. Among these, paryushan is the most important annual holy events celebrated in august or september. Jain texts mentions that attachment to possessions parigraha is of two kinds. That is why in sagara dharmamrta, the standard jaina book dealing. Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Jainism beliefs are very different from the beliefs that many people follow. Jainism is an indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twentyfour spiritual teachers known as tirthankara. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred.