Thus in a way in the indian cultural field the most important contribution of jainism is the concept of. Although jainism was an integral part of south indian culture and digambara monks played an important role in the early promulgation of literature in languages like tamil and kannada, the religion gradually lost its access to political power, and from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries vigorous antijain s aiva movements supplanted it in. After mahaviras death, jain sanghs first president was sudharman. The world of jainism that serves as a written companion to the film, and he contributed the chapter on jainism to mary evelyn tucker and john grims worldviews and ecology. On the grounds of peace and nonviolence jainism has immense contributions. It is also helpful for a beginner of jainism as it touches important aspects of jainism in an easy manner. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing.
Michael tobias has described nonviolanceahimsa in great details. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide.
In jainism, knowledge regarding the universe and salvation is very important because it maintains that salvation of the soul depends on understanding its predicament. The important treatise of jainism is written in kalpasutra sanskrit. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. Mahavira was the 24th and last of the tirthankaras. The founder of jainism is thought to be a man called mahavira. And the souls predicament is based in the makeup of the universe, which is composed of both eternal souls and infinite particles of matter. Theologians often classify jainism as a philosophy, a way of living life, rather than a religion. I was surprised to discover that jainism dates from the time of the buddha, and has such a large following today. List of books and articles about jainism online research. It forms part of the book on the indian sect of the jainas. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents.
Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Two jain sacred texts, the akaranga and kalpa sutras. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain. He is often considered to be one of the most important figures in jainism, as he reformed and worked throughout his life to spread the religion around the world. It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived and maintained and practiced their religion. In addition, the book describes how this nonviolent nature shapes the history of the world, and other religions. 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. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. The jains also have many important festivals and ceremonies that take place. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. As seen in the above example from stephanie kaza, an important impetus for. He also wrote samhita, a book dealing with legal cases.
The sacred book both in amritsar and in sikh temples is treated with. One of the most important festivals for jains is the paryushana parva. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Jainism and sikhism are often misunderstood religions common to india. Followers of jainism are called jains and must observe five major vows. The universe is not for man alone, but is a theater of evolution for all living beings. Buhler presented his opinions treating jainism and buddhism as sects rather than religions and referred to hinduism as brahmanism. Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. Despite these similarities, jainism and sikhism are different in their emphasis. Jainism is one of the oldest religions known today and its origins lie in the country of india.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. He was born ion india to the warrior caste but he left home as a young man to become a monk. Why does stryver continually criticize and belittle sydney carton for his social. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. 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. Oct 17, 2010 the holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion.
It is a movement, like buddhism, that rejects the caste system. 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. Jainism for kids jainism explained for children world. However, in buddhism there is what is known as the three baskets in sanskrit tripitika which consists of the vinayabasket the monastic precepts, regulations, and stories related to the establishment of the sang. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. 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. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Jainism, also known as jain dharma, is a very old indian religion.
Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Although similar in beliefs, there are very surprising differences between the two religions. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. The indian religion is thought to have started way back in the 6th century bc. Jainism is an ecologically responsible way of life which is nonviolent in thought, action, and deed. Both the mahavira and the buddha felt that only those who left their homes could gain true knowledge. Both jainism and sikhism have arisen as alternatives to hinduism within india. The caste system, which primitive jainism had rejected, also became part of later jaina doctrine. First, as various authors in this book will point out, the telos or goal of jainism. He is the last crossing maker of the present declining era.
Definitely worth reading, especially if you revere nature and are dubious about monotheistic religions. Important days in the jain calendar are called parvan, and on these days religious observances, such as structured periods of fasting and festivals, take place. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. Jainism s most important idea is that people should never be violent in what they think, do or say. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Several jain temples give this book to all their visitors. Vardhamana was the younger son of siddhartha a nobleman who belonged to the kshatriya race, called in sanskrit jnati or jnata, in prakrit naya, and, according to. Selfcontrol and nonviolence are taught as the means to obtain liberation from the worlds suffering. It is important from the most humane grounds and has brought a change in the society. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b.
The book goes into depth of the history of this non violent nature, and where jainism originates from. Jainisms most important idea is that people should never be violent in. The author chose 1991 to write, to bring jainism back into the world, and shed some light on the overlooked religion. Ahimsa paramo dharmah noninjury is the highest religion. As molloy highlights, they both share a belief in karma with hinduism, but both reject the polytheistic and ritualistic elements of hinduism. History of jainism is the history of a religion founded in ancient india. In this time period two major sects, namely digambar and swetambar, were already. 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.
Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. Jainism crossed india from south india at about eighth century b. They arranged for them to stay together in the sangha, an association of those who left their homes. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse.
Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Jainism offers a quiet, overwhelmingly serious way of life, a cultural insistence on compassion, a society of ethics that has dramatically changed the world and will continue to effect change. Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at. Thus in a way in the indian cultural field the most important contribution of jainism is the concept of ahimsa. Of the two major divisions of jainism, the digambaras believe all their original scriptures going back to the time of mahavira, their founder in the present era. This page provides information about important jain texts.
Jainism also known as jaina dharma is a religion originating in india that emphasizes nonviolence towards all living things and equality among all life. The rules made for the buddhist sangha were written down in a book called the vinaya pitaka. Jainism did not recognize the authenticity of the vedas and opposed vedas. 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. It is an important part of jain spirituality and the village near patna, where mahavira died is a great spiritual center. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. 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. He was born as a prince in 599 bce, however at age 28, he gave up everything he possessed, in order to gain spiritual awakening.
Jainism believes in existence of spirit among every living matter hence it encouraged vegetarianism and abandonment of animal sacrifice. Jains believe that in the present cycle of the universe, 24 great people have reached perfection. The oldest canonical books of jainism, apart from some mythological additions and evident exaggerations, contain the following important notes on the life of their last prophet. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. It also emerged around the same time as buddhism and was founded by vardhamana mahavira. 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. A selected list of books on jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices. This book provides an orderly and clear exposition of jainism as a philosophy and way of life, jain history, and the jains as a people. Modern jainists, eschewing any occupation that even remotely endangers animal life, are engaged largely in commerce and finance.
The most enjoyable parts of the book were its discussions of jainist ethics and the nature of the life force. Gommatsara is one of the most important jain texts authored by acharya. The word jainism comes from the root word ji which means to conquer. Svetambara jains celebrate this festival for eightdays while digambara jains celebrate it for ten days. Jain literature is classified into two major categories. Can be translated as crossing makers or ford finders. Among them are many of indias most prominent industrialists and bankers as well as several important political leaders. Jainism has given special emphasis on tenacity and nonviolence. The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the.
Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly. Sep 09, 2018 jainism has given special emphasis on tenacity and nonviolence. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. I have edited the text suitably to represent their current status. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism.
Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. The origins of jainism can be traced back to the indus river valley civilization of 3000 b. Mahavira 599527 bce is perhaps the most important figure of jainism. Jainism and buddhism have been foremost in upholding the doctrine of ahimsa and jainism has held firm to its original ideology more closely than that of buddhism.