Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. These sects arent very different from each other, they have common basics of moksha enlightenment, karma, reincarnation, guru and others. While worshipping, they sit on the ground and do not stand. Jainism is regarded as an ethical system where nonviolence features as an important ethical value. The differences in belief between the two sects are minor and relatively obscure. Although it has some similarities with both traditions, jainism is different from them with. Buddhism prescribes a middle path while jainism advocates its followers to live the life of complete austerity. Tattvarthasutra post canonical is one text that is accepted by all the sects of jainism. Now this is a scholarly book, and the author expounds this, but also states that the book is written with the lay reader in mind, and states at the outset that the book has been written in a context with both of these things in mind and for once i can say that the author absolutely delivers. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over.
The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah. Rishabha the first tirthankar and the founder of jainism. When it comes to the philosophy of jainism, there is essentially no difference between these two major sects. Two sects of jainism svetambara and digambara chapter i. Jainism is a very small religion in india, with very few followers, but it has a massive influence larger than their side. This page describes the two sects of jainism shvetambara and digambara from the study of the philosophy of jainism. Digambara monks do not wear clothes because they believe clothes, like other possessions, increase dependency and desire for material things, and desire for anything ultimately leads to so. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Jainism is an indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twentyfour spiritual teachers known as tirthankara. Jainism recognised the existence of god while buddhism did not.
All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. Each of these sects is also divided into subgroups. One of the main areas of dispute that was instrumental in the split is that of holy writings. Within these principal sects are several smaller traditions or subsects. Religious studies 101 mohammed jainism flashcards quizlet. The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects. The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or. Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. Although jains believe that jainism has always existed and that it always will exist, it is mahavira, regarded by jains to be the most recent of 24 enlightened teachers tirthankaras in the current era jains believe that each era lasts for millions of years and recurs in an infinite cycle of ages, who founded it.
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 jain sangha is divided into two major sects, digambara and svetambara. While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of each sect is same. The original stock of the svetambaras is known as murtipujaka svetambaras since they are the thorough worshipers of idols. In part 10 we explore religious sects, and thats not when two religions who love each other get together and have a baby religion. This is the second part in the series called the the jaina philosophy, originally composed by surendranath dasgupta in the early 20th century. Sep 11, 2009 this is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. There remain some 4 million jains in india, spread mainly between five states, and there is also a small but influential community of emigrants in both europe and the united states. Lord mahavirs preaching was orally complied by his disciples into many texts.
The most often cited book of the jains is the tattvartha sutra book of reality thought to date from the second millennium bce, but only recorded in written form in the 5th century ce by umasvati, and it is at that point that jainism splintered into the two main sects. Jainsi m has a compel x psychool gy, cosmool gy, and. However, the different eastern religions like hinduism, jainism, and buddhism have differed in their faith on rebirth. Sinclair stevenson, published a book the heart of jainism 1915, a sympathetic book but colored by a strong christian missionary outlook. It is not a bible and there are many different holy texts in jainism. Unlike others, the jain community have their own separate religious belief, their own philosophy and ideology, they have their own unique worship, texts and rituals and they too have their own customs and traditions distinctive from the others. The jain literature, which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis, is known as agam literature. Each sect developed several distinct jurisprudence systems reflecting their own understanding of the islamic law during the course of the history of islam. Demographic propagation origin, early rise, factors responsible for rise, jainism in other parts of world, demographics, references. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Sociopolitical influence sociopolitical identity, jainism and politics, fundamentalism, contemporary politics, references 14.
Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. Jainism is a very ancient world religion with a history of over 3000 years, which originated in the indian subcontinent, like hinduism and buddhism. Eventually, the jain religion was split up into two distinct sects, viz. Adinath was the son of king nabhiraja and queen marudevi and was born in the royal ikshvaku dynasty of ayodhya. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. The svetambara subsects like the digambara sect, the svetambara sect has also been split into three main subsects. One of the characteristics of indian religious traditions has been regular and periodic changes and disputes with in each of them regarding doctrine and practice, which often led to the formation of new sects, subsects and schools of thought.
Jain philosophy 2 27 jain history the jainsite worlds. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. The jains follow the teachings of the tirthankaras 24 religious teachers who lived at various times in history. This is a complete ebook of on the indian sect of the jainas, by johann georg buhler. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books compiled by several gandharas and srut. Start studying religious studies 101 mohammed jainism. This page describes the philosophy of two sects of jainism. Welcome back to the history of reality 101, we are in day 3 now. Jan 08, 2009 digambara sect of jainism holds that most of these texts were lost and hence they have rewritten these texts. In part 10 we explore religious sects, and thats not when two religions who love.
Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. Further, the islam as well as the most dominant religion of the world, christianity, having its origin in the west, have largely denied reincarnation, though some sub sects still show interest in it. The aim of existence is to attain through the triratna of. These two traditions or sects take their names from the appearance of their monks. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Digambara sect of jainism holds that most of these texts were lost and hence they have rewritten these texts. These are further divided into different sub sects and traditions. 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 words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations. For instance, sunnis are separated into five sub sects, namely, hanafi, maliki, shafii, hanbali and.
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. This knowledge was orally transferred from acharyas gurus to the disciples over the course of about one thousand years. 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. They use saffron, flowers, fruits, sweets, agarbattis etc. The word jain is taken from the word jina, which means getting victory over thy self and the peripheral world. Jainism holy book best jainism books singh brothers. Bisapantha the bisapanthis worship the idols of kshetrapal, padmavati devi and other deities also apart from the idols of tirthankars. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Indian language vocabulary is also wellexplained mostly sanskrit.
Buy sacred books of jain religion and jain literature, jain holy books, best jainism books from singh brothers. The two sects agree on the basics of jainism, but disagree on. It was created 32 years before buddhism, and some say its a sect in hinduism, but others consider it a separate religion. The sects and subsets of hinduism enjoy wider following than some world religions with a history that is equally ancient and eventful. Jainism does not condemn the varna system while buddhism does. A comprehensive ebook on the mythology, cosmology, divinities and thinthankaras of jainism or jain dharma. Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and svetambara. But the basic message and teachings remains the same. Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. Mahavira, the founder of jainism, is believed to be the last of the tirthankaras, living in the 6th century.
Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Major sects digambar sect, sub sects, shvetambar sect, sub sects, references 12. Jain philosophy 2 27 jain history the jainsite world. The jains have 5 great vows by which they try to live their lives. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Rishabha was also referred to as rishabhadeva, adinath, adishwar as he was the first tirthankar and the founder of jainism. Based on the deity of worship, style of worship, ways of worship and the philosophy followed hinduism is differentiated into these sects. Volumes can be written about each of the sects and their sub sects. Although it has some similarities with both traditions, jainism is different from them with its own unique and distinguishing features. Jainism is one of the most ancient religions that originated in eastern india and it was founded around the 6th century. This religions holy text is referred to as agam literature or sutras and is a collection of many different written works.
In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Jainism is an ancient religious and philosophical tradition that is thought to have originated in the ganges river basin. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Jainism religion bhagwan mahavir jain symbol belief. 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. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. These two sects now recognise different canons of sacred texts. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. This is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains. The jains ten comandments the most significant regions.