Jains beliefs holds that 24 historical figures have lived and taught Jain truths in this age. Of these figures, called Tirthankaras, only the last two can be historically verified with any confidence. The 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, is thought to have lived in the 7th century and founded a Jain community based on renunciation of the world. Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara to appear in this age, is usually regarded as the founder of the religion, the first signficant marker on Jainism's historical timeline.
He is traditionally thought to have lived from to BC, but some scholars believe he was a contemporary of the Buddha in the early 5th century BC. Like the Buddha, Mahavira was born into the warrior class. At the age of 30, he renounced the world to seek spiritual truth in ascetic solitude.
He found enlightenment after 13 years of renunciation, and soon made 11 converts. Also known as Vardhamana, Mahavira was a tirthankara or a teacher of the dharma. Jainism is one of the three most ancient religions of India, with roots that go back to at least the mid-first century B. Today, it is still an integral part of Indian culture. Jainism teaches that the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living things including plants and animals as much as possible.
Like Hindus and Buddhists, Jains believe in reincarnation. Jains believe bad karma is caused by harming living things. To avoid bad karma, Jains must practice ahimsa, a strict code of nonviolence.
Jains believe plants, animals, and even some nonliving things like air and water have souls, just as humans do. The principle of nonviolence includes doing no harm to humans, plants, animals, and nature. For that reason, Jains are strict vegetarians—so strict, in fact, that eating root vegetables is not allowed because removing the root would kill the plant. However, Jains can eat vegetables that grow above the ground, because they can be picked while leaving the rest of the plant intact.
In complete dedication to nonviolence, the highest-ranked Jain monks and nuns avoid swatting at mosquitoes or sweeping a path on the floor so they do not step on an ant. In addition to nonviolence, Jainism has four additional vows that guide believers: always speak the truth, do not steal, show sexual restraint with celibacy as an ideal , and do not become attached to worldly things. While it shares many beliefs and values with Hinduism and Buddhism, Jainism has its own spiritual leaders and teachers.
Jains honor 24 Jinas, or Tirthankaras: spiritual leaders who achieved enlightenment and have been liberated from the cycle of rebirth. One of the most influential Jinas was Mahavira, born Vardhamana, who is considered the 24th, and final, Jina.
He was born into the kshatriya or warrior class, traditionally dated in B. When he was 30 years old, he renounced his worldly possessions to live the life of an ascetic one who practices self-denial of worldly things. How do they fit into the general scheme of things?
What is their destiny or future? What is the idea of community and how humans are to live with one another? Is there a single linear history with time coming to an end or does time recycle? Is there a plan working itself out in time and detectable in the events of history?
Does he religion support a belief in souls or spirits which survive the death of the body? What is the belief in what occurs afterwards? Is there a resurrection of the body? If you have iTunes on your computer just click and you will be led to the listings. J ainism was born in India about the same period as Buddhism. It was established by Mahavira c. He was born near Patna in what is now Bihar state.
Mahavira like Buddha belonged to the warrior caste. In many senses Jainism is similar to Buddhism. Both developed as a dissension to the Brahmanic philosophy that was dominant during that period in north-east India.
Both share a belief in reincarnation which eventually leads to liberation. Jainism is different to Buddhism in its ascetic beliefs. Both these religions emphasize non-violence, but non-violence is the main core in Jainism. In Jainism like Buddhism there is a belief in reincarnation which eventually leads to liberation. Neither of these religions their religious philosophy around worship.
But Jainism is different than Buddhism in its ascetic beliefs. Both these religions emphasis on non-violence, but in Jainism non-violence is its main core. Jains believe that every thing has life and this also includes stones, sand, trees and every other thing. The fact that trees breath came to be known to the science world only from the 20th century. Mahavira was also extremely ascetic and walked around completely naked because of his renouncement of life.
After years of hardship and meditation he attained enlightenment; thereafter he preached Jainism for about 30 years and died at Pava also in Bihar in BC. They are vegetarians. But the religious Jains will do everything possible to prevent hurting any being. They also cover their mouth to prevent the possibility of swallowing small invisible microbes. They mostly do not work in professions where there is a possibility of killing any living being like in agriculture instead professions like banking and business.
But it is not clear what came first, businessmen who adopted Jain philosophy because it was easy for them to follow or Jainish philosophy which convinced the Jains to adopt non violent professions. There are two Jain philosophies.
Shvetember and Digamber. The Digambers include among them only men. The Shvetembers monks wear white clothes and they include women. Lord Mahavira was born on March 30, B. He was a contemporary of Lord Buddha. He was the 24th and the last of the Tirthankars. The present form of Jainism was shaped by him. The cardinal principles of Jainism are:. Anekantvada multiplicity of views. Aparigraha non-possessiveness.
The first and the third are quite simple to understand but the second one needs some explanation. Difference of view points, quite often, add to the knowledge and one should infer, only after hearing diverse views on any subject.
If it is not done, then the conclusions. It provides for the tolerance for the views of the others. One can have a better perception only after hearing others. For example, we are all familiar with the story of the eight blind men and an elephant.
There the views expressed about the elephant by each of the blind men were correct but only partial knowledge could be obtained from any one view.
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