JainismSources: Chapter 13 of [POLL] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism] Jainism is an Indian religion and ethical belief system focusing on non-violence. Its adherents are supposed to avoid all violence, whether committed by body, mind, or speech. They are strict vegetarians and some even wear a mask over their face in case an insect might fly into their mouth and be harmed. Mahatma Gandhi was apparently influenced by Jain philosophy. It developed in India around 3000 BCE (although other sources claim 2500 BCE) and incorporates many concepts of Hinduism such as karma and dharma. The religion itself is known as Jaina dharma. Around 300 BCE is split into two major sects —Digambara (sky clad) and Svetambara (white robed). The former advocates that complete nudity is necessary to signify detachment from material things. The latter allows the wearing of simple white robes. Digambara does allow women into the ascetic order and a woman must be reborn as a man to attain moksha. Svetambara accepts women ascetics and there three times as many nuns as monks in the sect. The word Jainism is derived from a Sanskrit verb Jin which means to conquer. It refers to a battle with the passions and bodily pleasures that the jaina ascetics undertake. Those who win this battle are termed as Jina (conqueror). The term Jaina is therefore used to refer to laymen and ascetics of this tradition alike. Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Jains traditionally trace their history through a succession of twenty-four propagators of their faith known as tirthankara with Adinatha as the first tirthankara and Mahavira who was born in the 6th century BCE as the last one. He is mentioned in Buddhist writings. The Jain code of conduct consists of the Five Principles, namely:
For long periods of time Jainism was the state religion of Indian kingdoms and widely adopted in the Indian subcontinent. The religion has been in decline since the 8th century CE due to the growth of, and oppression by the followers of Hinduism and Islam. Jainism is a religious minority in India, with 4.2 million adherents, and there are small but notable immigrant communities in Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the United States. Jains have the highest degree of literacy of any religious community in India (94.1 percent), and their manuscript libraries are the oldest in the country. ConclusionsJainism carries the denial of the present world even further than Hinduism and the same comments apply regarding the submissiveness to authority. |