Learn about religions #2: About Jainism

History/Founder/important persons/saints: Jainism is a heretical sect of Hindu Brahminism, and is believed by some scholars to be related to Buddhism. It was founded in roughly 600 BCE by Jnatriputra, who was later given the title Vardhamana Mahavira. (as well as the title Jina, conqueror, from which the name Jain is derived) Mahavira, like Buddha, was reputedly the son of a Prince, rejected the Vedas, and practiced extreme asceticism. Mahavira was the first of 24 Tirthankaras, or enlightened teachers.

Current leader/governing body: There are two main sects of Jainism, the Svetamabara and Digambara. Svetamabaras accept women into their ranks, the Digambara do not. The Digambara also practice nudity whenever possible, to be as close to a natural state as possible.

Number of Adherents: About five million, the vast majority in India.

Clergy: Jains have no official clergy; generally serious believers become monks.

Requirements to join: To become a monk, one is initiated, and takes vows to live a life without worldliness.

Church/temple: Jains tend to prefer ornate temples similar to Hindu temples, however, only the laity worship in temples- monastics repudiate temple worship as worldly. Temples contain statues of the Tirthankaras and minor deities.

Scripture: The scriptures agreed upon by both sects are the Purvas, which have been lost. Other scriptures include the Angas, Upangas, Mulasutras, the Satkhandagama, and the Anuyogas.

Required observances, dietary restrictions: Jainists practice extreme self-denial, avoiding meat, cooked food, killing, and anything thought to be "worldly." Jains usually wear face coverings to prevent the accidental inhalation and killing of insects.

Code of Conduct:

Ordained Monastics take five vows:

1. Ahimsa (non-killing) for all living things. 2. No lying. 3. No stealing. 4. To avoid worldly attachments. 5. To avoid walking after dark.

Holidays:

Basic teachings and Beliefs: Jain belief is similar to Buddhism in many ways. They believe that Moksa, or enlightenment, is the only way to be liberated from the Dharma, the law of Karma and rebirth. To achieve this end, Jains practice ahimsa, non-harming. Everyday Jains avoid killing "five-sensed" creatures, the Monastics avoid taking the life of any creature at all. Unlike Buddhism, Jains teach self-denial and asceticism.

Another doctrine Jains hold that is similar to Buddhism is the triratna, or "three gems." These are:

Right knowledge Right faith Right action

Jain cosmology divides the universe and everything in it into five categories (astikayas) : Soul Motion Rest Atoms Space

Symbols: None.

For more information check out: http://altreligion.about.com/cs/jainism/

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