Jainism: Difference between revisions
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| image = Jainism.jpeg | | image = Jainism.jpeg | ||
| image_caption = Jain symbol: Ahimsa hand and swastika | | image_caption = Jain symbol: Ahimsa hand and swastika | ||
| founder = | | founder = Mahavira | ||
| founded = ~6th century BCE | | founded = ~6th century BCE | ||
| origin = | | origin = Indian subcontinent | ||
| texts = | | texts = Agamas (Jainism)|Agamas, Tattvartha Sutra | ||
| beliefs = | | beliefs = Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Karma, Moksha | ||
| practices = Fasting, meditation, vows, temple worship | | practices = Fasting, meditation, vows, temple worship | ||
| goal = | | goal = Moksha (liberation from rebirth) | ||
| followers = ~4–5 million | | followers = ~4–5 million | ||
| sects = | | sects = Digambara, Shvetambara | ||
| symbols = | | symbols = Ahimsa in Jainism|Ahimsa hand, Swastika | ||
| motto = ''Parasparopagraho Jīvānām'' | | motto = ''Parasparopagraho Jīvānām'' | ||
| website = | | website = | ||
}} | }}'''Jainism''' is one of the oldest religions originating in the Indian subcontinent. It emphasizes '''Ahimsa|non-violence''', '''Satya|truth''', '''Asteya|non-stealing''', '''Brahmacharya|celibacy''', and '''Aparigraha|non-possession'''. Practitioners aim for moksha|liberation through self-discipline and asceticism|ascetic living.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism</ref> | ||
''' | |||
== Origins and History == | == Origins and History == | ||
Jainism traces its spiritual lineage through 24 ''' | Jainism traces its spiritual lineage through 24 '''Tirthankaras''', spiritual teachers who achieved liberation. The last and most well-known Tirthankara is '''Mahavira''' (599–527 BCE), a contemporary of [[Gautama Buddha|the Buddha]], who systematized the faith. | ||
* Jainism does not believe in a | * Jainism does not believe in a creator god. | ||
* It believes in eternal | * It believes in eternal souls and the karmic cycle of rebirth. | ||
* The first Tirthankara is ''' | * The first Tirthankara is '''Rishabhanatha'''. | ||
== Beliefs and Philosophy == | == Beliefs and Philosophy == | ||
Core Jain beliefs include: | Core Jain beliefs include: | ||
* ''' | * '''Ahimsa''' – Not harming any living being. | ||
* ''' | * '''Anekantavada''' – Truth has many perspectives. | ||
* ''' | * '''Karma and Rebirth''' | ||
* ''' | * '''Moksha''' – Liberation from the cycle of birth and death. | ||
== Sects == | == Sects == | ||
Jainism is divided into two main | Jainism is divided into two main sects: | ||
* ''' | * '''Digambara''' – Ascetics practice extreme renunciation and often wear no clothes. | ||
* ''' | * '''Shvetambara''' – Ascetics wear white clothes and are more community-oriented. | ||
== Practices == | == Practices == | ||
* | * Fasting, meditation, and prayer. | ||
* Following the ''' | * Following the '''Five Great Vows (Mahavrata)'''. | ||
* Worship in ''' | * Worship in '''Jain temples''', often intricately carved and decorated. | ||
* Celebrating festivals like ''' | * Celebrating festivals like '''Mahavir Jayanti''', '''Paryushan''', and [[Diwali]] (marking Mahavira’s nirvana). | ||
== Temples and Art == | == Temples and Art == | ||
Famous Jain temples include: | Famous Jain temples include: | ||
* | * Palitana Temples, [[Gujarat]] | ||
* | * Ranakpur Temple, [[Rajasthan]] | ||
* | * Shravanabelagola, [[Karnataka]] – Home to the statue of Bahubali | ||
* | * Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu | ||
Jain [[art]] is known for its symbolism, detailed iconography, and dedication to non-violent imagery. | Jain [[art]] is known for its symbolism, detailed iconography, and dedication to non-violent imagery. | ||
== Sacred Texts == | == Sacred Texts == | ||
* ''' | * '''Agamas''' – Canonical texts of Jain teachings (especially for Shvetambaras) | ||
* ''' | * '''Tattvartha Sutra''' – A key philosophical text accepted by all Jains | ||
== Influence == | == Influence == | ||
* Strong impact on | * Strong impact on Indian ethics, vegetarianism, and legal thought. | ||
* Prominent Jain communities are found in [[India]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], and [[East Africa]]. | * Prominent Jain communities are found in [[India]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], and [[East Africa]]. | ||
* Many Jain scholars contributed to | * Many Jain scholars contributed to mathematics, astronomy, and logic in ancient India. | ||
== Notable Jains == | == Notable Jains == | ||
* ''' | * '''Virchand Gandhi''' – Represented Jainism at the Parliament of the World's Religions (1893) | ||
* ''' | * '''Shrimad Rajchandra''' – Spiritual guide to [[Mahatma Gandhi]] | ||
* ''' | * '''Gautam Adani''', '''Lalit Doshi''' – Prominent Jain business figures | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* | * Mahavira | ||
* | * Tirthankara | ||
* | * Jain temples | ||
* | * Ahimsa | ||
* | * Indian religions | ||
* | * Digambara | ||
* | * Shvetambara | ||
* | * Jain philosophy | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 06:28, 19 August 2025
| Jainism | |
|---|---|
| |
| Jain symbol: Ahimsa hand and swastika | |
| Founder | Mahavira |
| Founded | ~6th century BCE |
| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent |
| Scriptures | Agamas (Jainism) |
| Key beliefs | Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Karma, Moksha |
| Practices | Fasting, meditation, vows, temple worship |
| Ultimate goal | Moksha (liberation from rebirth) |
| Followers | ~4–5 million |
| Major sects | Digambara, Shvetambara |
| Symbols | Ahimsa in Jainism |
| Motto | Parasparopagraho Jīvānām |
| Website | |
Jainism is one of the oldest religions originating in the Indian subcontinent. It emphasizes Ahimsa|non-violence, Satya|truth, Asteya|non-stealing, Brahmacharya|celibacy, and Aparigraha|non-possession. Practitioners aim for moksha|liberation through self-discipline and asceticism|ascetic living.[1]
Origins and History
Jainism traces its spiritual lineage through 24 Tirthankaras, spiritual teachers who achieved liberation. The last and most well-known Tirthankara is Mahavira (599–527 BCE), a contemporary of the Buddha, who systematized the faith.
- Jainism does not believe in a creator god.
- It believes in eternal souls and the karmic cycle of rebirth.
- The first Tirthankara is Rishabhanatha.
Beliefs and Philosophy
Core Jain beliefs include:
- Ahimsa – Not harming any living being.
- Anekantavada – Truth has many perspectives.
- Karma and Rebirth
- Moksha – Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Sects
Jainism is divided into two main sects:
- Digambara – Ascetics practice extreme renunciation and often wear no clothes.
- Shvetambara – Ascetics wear white clothes and are more community-oriented.
Practices
- Fasting, meditation, and prayer.
- Following the Five Great Vows (Mahavrata).
- Worship in Jain temples, often intricately carved and decorated.
- Celebrating festivals like Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan, and Diwali (marking Mahavira’s nirvana).
Temples and Art
Famous Jain temples include:
- Palitana Temples, Gujarat
- Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan
- Shravanabelagola, Karnataka – Home to the statue of Bahubali
- Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu
Jain art is known for its symbolism, detailed iconography, and dedication to non-violent imagery.
Sacred Texts
- Agamas – Canonical texts of Jain teachings (especially for Shvetambaras)
- Tattvartha Sutra – A key philosophical text accepted by all Jains
Influence
- Strong impact on Indian ethics, vegetarianism, and legal thought.
- Prominent Jain communities are found in India, the UK, USA, Canada, and East Africa.
- Many Jain scholars contributed to mathematics, astronomy, and logic in ancient India.
Notable Jains
- Virchand Gandhi – Represented Jainism at the Parliament of the World's Religions (1893)
- Shrimad Rajchandra – Spiritual guide to Mahatma Gandhi
- Gautam Adani, Lalit Doshi – Prominent Jain business figures
See Also
- Mahavira
- Tirthankara
- Jain temples
- Ahimsa
- Indian religions
- Digambara
- Shvetambara
- Jain philosophy