Sep 03, 2007 jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. All religions worthy of the name are now making great efforts to purify their doctrines and return to their original standpoint, all except christianity. For example, all three traditions share a notion of karma as the actions of individuals that determine their future births, yet each has attached unique connotations to the concept. The jain religion originated more than twentyfive hundred years ago in india.
Acarya hemacandra in the 12th century put forth the jain view of the universe in the yogasastra. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Once again, we need look no further than the jains. Jainism believes in godhood but does not believe god to be the first cause as in the advait philosophy. Some religions preach that an individual can be saved by devotion to god, the saviour, or to gods incarnations and intermediaries. There are large pantheon of godlings, celestials or angels who are superhuman in this religion just like the hindu gods. Jan 02, 2020 like all false religion, jainism is incompatible with biblical christianity. I believe that the prophetic scriptures from the books of daniel, revelation and others in the old. The journal of religion this book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism.
These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. They follow the religious book of avesta that contains teachings of prophet zoroaster. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Essence of world religions 5 third edition we have continually updated various faiths based on feedback. They do not believe in the existence of a god or gods that will aid the human race. There is a persian, an african slave, a brahmin, a jew, an italian, a protestant minister, a turk, and finally a whole host of others from differing faiths.
Jainism is based on the idea that people should never be violent in what they think, do or say. We preach and practice brotherhood not only of man but of all living beings not on sundays only but on all the days of the week. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Jainism, hinduism, and buddhism share many key concepts derived from the sanskrit language and dialects that have enabled them to hone their religious debates. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. It developed a path of renunciation and purification designed to liberate one from the shackles of karma, allowing one to enter into a state of eternal liberation from rebirth, or kevala, which is roughly equivalent to the buddhist concept of nirvana. Apr 20, 2019 the followers of this religion came to india in the 8 th century. You will need to register to get access to the following site features.
Welcome to religious forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. Jain religion does not have one sacred book as is in other religions like the quran and the bible. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. Lord mahavir was the twentyfourth and the last tirthankara of the jain religion. In fact, a person can be an atheist who also considers him or herself religious. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. So, after attaining the ultimate height, the nirvan according to both, the jain and buddh religions, the practitioner has to adopt the guidelines of the scriptures sanatan dharm and do bhakti to a personal form of god. This quality, however, is subdued by the souls association with karmic matter. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. The kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. First, the bible condemns the worship of any god apart from the true and living god. Hence jains do not have one god, but jain gods are innumerable and their number is continuously increasing as.
Scholars regard hinduism as a fusion or synthesis 6 note 4. Apr 21, 2015 the jain understanding of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an almighty creator god. Google answer we does not consider 1 book there were so many granths were there some granths. Jains do, however, believe in a perfect universal presence, as well as multiple deities who dwell in the heavens. All souls who have achieved the natural state of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge kevala jnana, infinite power and infinite perception are regarded as god in jainism. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. 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 sacred book in religion 5 as no other can be, in the phrase a people of the book. Mahavira, the jain patriarch, surpassed the morality of the bible with a single sentence.
The tattvarthasutra is a famous book which summarizes jain teachings. All religions have important people whose teachings and lives embody the spirit of the faith and present models of faiths promise. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. The jain scriptures are the source books of jain ethics, yoga, religion, philosophy and mythology. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. The period of the composition, redaction and commentary of these texts is known as the vedic period, which lasted from roughly 1750 to 500 bce.
Jainism beliefs a process of enlightenment similar to hinduism, jainism beliefs also maintain various principles and practices related to meditation, karma, and reincarnation. All siddhas are perfected souls, living for ever in a blissful state in moksha. Further, it asserts that no god is responsible or causal for actions in the life of any living organism. Jain scholars were supportive of akbar and jain texts praise his religious tolerance. Jain scriptures reject god as the creator of the universe. In many ways the jain attitude to perfect beings is both intelligible and satisfying. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor.
In jainism, godliness is said to be the inherent quality of every soul. The jain understanding of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an almighty creator god. India has a long history of religious and spiritual wealth. The study of comparative religion converges on this conclusion. Religious symbols and meanings are often confused with occult symbolism.
Like all false religion, jainism is incompatible with biblical christianity. Some religions preach that an individual can be saved by devotion to god, the saviour, or to god s incarnations and intermediaries. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers.
Set in india, various individuals from different religious and cultural background debate the existence of god and his nature. Oct 17, 2010 the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. The kalpasutra describes in detail the lifestory of mahavira. Bahaullah which means glory of god in arabic was born as mirza husayn ali in 1817. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. This chart shows the founders, teachers, and key leaders of major religions. Jainism is an ancient religion, thought to have been founded 6th century bc by a man called mahavira, in india. The religion of jains included women in their fourfold sangha. The acharangasutra deals chiefly with the ethical conduct and discipline of monks. Historically hinduism has developed over about 4,000 years and has no single founder or creed. We hope to see you as a part of our community soon. Jainism rejects the idea of a creator deity responsible for the. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism.
As mentioned above, the realm of the gods consists of higher and lower gods. The jain religion was said to be founded by adinatha, but some historians believe he may have been mythical. Hence jains do not have one god, but jain gods are innumerable and their number is continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of the religion as it is practiced today. According to jain philosophy, all tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. According to the 2001 census, there are around 70,000 indian people who follow the zoroastrian faith. This religion is unique in comparison to other religions because there is no belief in a deity or greater power. Religion in india is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Today there are about 6 million followers of the religion and they are known as jains. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place.
Jain doctrine stresses spiritual development through attainment of wisdom, purification, nonviolence, selfcontrol, truthfulness, and nonmaterialism. There was a disagreement between early hinduism, and ascetic movements such as. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. We have certain scriptures which are considered as. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Religion has always included much more than the worship of a deity. He possesses infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss. Sep 25, 2014 india has a long history of religious and spiritual wealth. Arihats are perfect human beings and preach the jain religion to the people during their remaining life.
He said that a messenger would soon arrive from god, who would be the latest in a line of prophets including moses, muhammad and jesus christ. Both arihants and siddhas are considered gods of jain religion. Unlike some religions, jains do not believe in a god or creator. One of the religions that propagated early in indias history is called jainism. God is not great sometimes stylized as god is not great is a 2007 book by britishamerican author and journalist christopher hitchens, in which he makes a case against organized religion. Person role religion buddha founder of buddhism buddhism confucius philosopher and teacher. All of us could become such a god because every being has the potential to become such a perfect soul. Jainism followers are called jain, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor and connoting the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths through an ethical and spiritual life.
The indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the worlds major religions. Jains believe that jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of jain cosmology. By profession i am an electrical engineer, jain by faith, and i teach jainism and comparative religion to jain youths and adults of north america during my spare time. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama.
The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source texts. Popular religious symbols and their correct meanings. The documented history of indian religions begins with the historical vedic religion, the religious practices of the early indoiranians, which were collected and later redacted into the vedas. Jul 02, 2017 set in india, various individuals from different religious and cultural background debate the existence of god and his nature. These beings are also considered mortal just like humans. The aim of jain life is to achieve liberation of the. India is officially a secular state and has no state religion. An introduction, is a thoroughly researched overview of the jain tradition, a religion and set of philosophical constructs that have influenced indian thought for over 2500 years.
Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan. The same is the case with the practices of jain religion. Jainism for kids jainism explained for children world. However, religions like christianity, buddhism, hinduism, judaism and many others rely on such symbols to preach people about the beliefs and ideals of that particular religion and inculcate certain values in them.
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