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. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. In 1974, on the auspicious 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of the last jain tirthankara, mahavira, the jain community at large collectively chose one image as an emblem to be the main identifying symbol for jainism. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The arhant heritage jainism shraman culture is confirmed by the writings in srimad bhagwad, padmapuran, vishnupuran, skandapuran and shivpuran, naradpuran, manusmriti and other religious book. Tattvarth sutra book in gujarati the latest 2 part book to enhance your knowledge in basic nine elements of jain religion. Jainism and buddhism are a part of shramanic religion. Mahavira, the jain patriarch, surpassed the morality of the bible with a single sentence. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion.
Jan 02, 2020 according to jain writings, mahavira descended from heaven, committed no sin himself, and through meditation, freed himself from all earthly desires. Chandrakant mehtatattvarthigam sutra book 1chandrakant mehta. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Pilgrimage plays an important part in jain life for digambaras and some svetambaras. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. It was a time and place of religious renewal, in which several groups reacted against the formalized rituals and hierarchical organization of traditional hinduism, desiring something new and fresh. There is a recorded history of jainism since about 30003500 bc. This blog is about famous jain personalities who has made tremendous contribution towards society. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith.
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. On 30 january 2014, the government of india explicitly awarded the status of a minority religion to the jain community in india, as per section 2c of the national commission for. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. Since then, this emblem is used in almost all of jain magazines, on wedding cards, on jain festival cards and in magazines with links to events related to jain society. List of books and articles about jainism online research. Here is a link to the site for the textbook revealing world religions related to which. There state jain texts, he died by fasting, a jain ascetic method of ending ones life by choice sallenkanavrata. 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. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. This website is for the users who want to learn the basic concepts of jain religion. He revived the jain religion as it is practiced today. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion.
The journal of religion this book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. One for those who wish to become ascetic and another for the sravaka householders. I wanted to learn not just the facts about the jain religion, but i wanted to get a feeling of what being a. Jain ethical code prescribes two dharmas or rules of conduct. Jainism in india after lord mahavira this religion flourished in magadha and elsewhere because of the strong rulers at pataliputra. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Pilgrimage pilgrimage in jainism temples on the shatrunjaya hills, gujurat an important jain site. In these books there are lucid descriptions on the birth of jainism. Jainism is regarded as an independent religion of india. According to jain writings, mahavira descended from heaven, committed no sin himself, and through meditation, freed himself from all earthly desires. Ascetics observe these fives vows more strictly and therefore observe.
Jain philosophy 2 28 jain agam literature the jainsite. Evolution of jainism jain religion history by this time, the old ritualistic vedic tradition had gradually ceased to be a strong force. Since then, this emblem is used in almost all of jain magazines, on wedding cards, on jain festival cards and in magazines with links to events. They are written in the ardhamagadhi prakrit language.
The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah. In 300 words jainism is the philosophy and religion of jainas the followers of religion preached and practised by the thirthankaras, the last of whom was lord mahavir. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan. The last of the 24 teachers who was victorious over the afflictions of life. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Our goal is to upload his discourses on various aspects of jainism. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. While hinduism as a mode of living, and as a culture is to be found across various religions in india because of several common customs, traditions and practices, but as. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview.
Jainism ontario consultants on religious tolerance. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. He expects to publish a book on the subject within the next few years. Basic concepts of jainism and its applications can be learned from chandrakantbhais easy and unique teaching skills and indepth knowledge of the subject. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or. These vows are observed by sravakas householders partially and are termed as anuvratas small vows. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The kalpasutra describes in detail the lifestory of mahavira. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Jain theism concept of god in jainism harvard university. A searching comparison of the faiths of east and west hinduism, jainism, buddhism, vedantism, yoga, taoism, confucianism, shintoism, judaism, christianity, islam, humanism by bahm, archie j.
The twentyfourth was mahavir who lived 2,600 years ago. Once again, we need look no further than the jains. The jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Love is not love if it does not include love of animals, according to jain teachings. The jain literature which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature.
Interesting book about an interesting religion philosophy. Concise but accurate introduction to the key principles of jainism. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Aspects of jaina religion vilas adinath sangave snippet view 1999. What is the historical context of the jain religion. 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. The kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion.
This is in a fully referenced, comprehensively indexed, questionanswer format with many examples helps to readily grasp even difficult concepts. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Immediately download the jainism summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching jainism. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. Jainism is considered to be a legally distinct religion in india. Jain scripture rejects both the hindu vedas and nonjain writings as. Vikalp printers, isbn 8190363921, this article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. This succinct, completely engaging overview of jainism, the historical contexts of jain intellectual thought, and the relationship of. Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Jainism was born in india about the same period as buddhism. The jain scriptures are the source books of jain ethics, yoga, religion, philosophy and mythology.
Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. You will see latest news on top, and an archive too. This is a place to get latest news about jains, jainism and related issues. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. Formerly there were 84 aagams but there are total 45 aagam in existence at present. According to jain tradition, lord rishabh was the first interpreter of ahinsa nonviolence.
Sep 10, 2009 pilgrimage pilgrimage in jainism temples on the shatrunjaya hills, gujurat an important jain site. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains. Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the jain religion. Scholars in the jain tradition, as well as several groups amongst the jain community protested, and emphasised that jain religion stands as a religion in its own right. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. It is a religion and philosophy originating in ancient india. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice. Jainism is a dharmic religion different from hinduism and buddhism.
Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. Religion continued jain morality vyavahara dharma conduct in accordance with the rules prescribed by arihants and accompanied always by compassion, love, sympathy etc. The outline of the image represents the universe as described in jain agamas. When the soul sheds its karmic bonds completely, it attains divine consciousness.
All the twentyfour great liberators have an animal associated with them, symbolizing that in jain teachings the place of animals is central. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. The jain emblem is composed of many fundamental concepts and symbols. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. The discovery of the indus valley civilization have provided more clues and proofs about the antiquity of jainism. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all. Jainism, traditionally known as jain dharma, is one of the oldest religions in the world. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. Jainism is a religion of extreme legalism, for one attains his own salvation only through the path of asceticism rigid selfdenial.
I wanted to learn not just the facts about the jain religion, but i wanted to get a feeling of what being a jain is like. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Jain narrative literature is full of instances of jai existence in foreign countries.
Seals of ascetics in yogic postures resemble the images of jain tirthankaras. The first of these was rishabhanatha, who according to. At the time of alexander the greats invasion on the borders of the magadha empire, it was the jain rulers who were in firm control at pataliputra. This is located at the top of the universe and is where siddha, the liberated souls, live the upper world. Jain religion nischaya dharma purity of soul which results from the above action dirt of karma disappears. The acharangasutra deals chiefly with the ethical conduct and discipline of monks. The jain tradition believes that their religion is eternal, and the teachings of their first. Selected research papers on jain society, religion, and culture, mumbai.
Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and. Jainism is a religion of extreme legalism, for one attains his own salvation only. Legal status of jainism as a distinct religion in india. Jainism arose in 7th century bc eastern india, home to hinduism and buddhism.
Jain scripture rejects both the hindu vedas and non jain writings as. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Five fundamental vows are prescribed for both votaries. Jainism regards every living soul as potentially divine. It is written by a practising jain, drawing on his rich experience of jainism in all its aspects.
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