Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. Hindu website, hinduism, buddhism, jainism, sikhism. The book goes into depth of the history of this non violent nature, and where jainism originates from.
We provide unique and original resources on the beliefs, philosophy and essential practices of the following religions. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. Next, repetition and symmetry are crucial elements to the patterns of the universe. Mahavira, the last of the tirthankaras, is considered the founder of jainism. The focus on this paper will be on three major indian religions. Origins of jainism buddhism and hinduism course researchers. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. The jain word that comes closest to the western idea of the universe is loka. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Hence, there are a total of 24 tirthankars in jainism who make the religion. Jainism religion religions in india religion history. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian. Previous forms give way to new ones without loosing their own inherent qualities.
The current universe is just the start of a present cycle preceded by an infinite number of universes and to be followed by another infinite number of universes. It is believed that jainism was founded by rishabha, the father of king bharata. To cope with the changing times, the living things change and modify their forms from one nature to another. Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the universe loka and its constituents such as living beings, matter, space, time etc. Jain cosmology has several distinguishing features that mark it out from other indian notions of the universe, time and the human place within it. Jain religion the true nature of a substance is a religion any activities of body, mind and speech. Find here a list of selected books on the various aspects of jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras, life and teachings of. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. Similarly, the space and universe has neither start nor end, rather it is cyclical. These are readytouse jainism worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the jainism which is a religion in india which emerged in 6th century bce the same time as buddhism.
Jains do not believe that the universe was created by any sort of god. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Jain texts describe the shape of the universe as similar to a man standing with legs apart and arm resting on his waist. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome. The dominant theme in puranic hindu cosmology, state chapman and driver, is of cycles and repetition. This religions holy text is referred to as agam literature or sutras and is a collection of many different written works. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Karananuyoga ganitanuyoga description of the universe dravyanuyoga philosophy shatkhandagam. Jain cosmology considers the universe as an uncreated entity that has existed since infinity with neither beginning nor end. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide.
All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. 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. Download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf ebooks. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about jainism across 24 indepth pages. The religion derives its name from the jinas conquerors, a title given to twentyfour great teachers tirthankaras or fordmakers, through.
Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Also, the jainism believes that the cosmic law applies and that nothing can be destroyed nor created. The word jain is taken from the word jina, which means getting victory over thy self and the peripheral world. The first cosmology cosmogony book i have ever read, back in high school, and that was when i became fascinated with the origin and evolution of the universe. He was followed by 23 tirthankars of whom mahavir was the last. Universe and its substances particularly soul and karma and their relationship. The essence of jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of universe itself. The second purvaagam named agrayaniya was used as the basis for this scripture. According to jain scriptures, there is the general humanshaped occupied universe with a volume of 343 in the major central part of the infinitetimesinfinitely extensive nonoccupied universe or non universe space as observed by the. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures.
The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The religion derives its name from the jinas conquerors, a title given to twentyfour great teachers tirthankaras or fordmakers, through whom their faith was revealed. 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. Sanatana dharma, known as hinduism or hindu dharma, buddhism or.
The american people spend thousands of dollars to propagate the doctrines of the fall of man, the creation of the world out of nothing in six days by a personal god, vicarious atonement, absolution from sin by the shedding of innocent blood. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Jains believe that the universe we perceive really exists and is not an illusion. It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived. The mysterious origin of the universe, which is present and visible in. Jainism believes that universe and all its substances are eternal everlasting. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Jainism is an eastern religion which believes salvation as the ultimate aim of human life. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism.
Jains believe that the universe is without beginning or end. The act of creation, therefore, is frequently described as a way of drawing the reader into thinking about the order of all things and the allknowing creator who is behind it all. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Jainism is a transtheistic religion, and jains trace their. 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. The descriptions of creation in the quran are not intended as dry historical accounts but rather to engage the reader in contemplating the lessons to be learned from it. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. A good introductory book, even if it is quite dated by now. Therefore, jainism does not believe that god is the creator, destroyer, and the controller of the universe. The followers of jainism believe that their religion is eternal and rishabhanath, the first tirthankara, was also its fo. Jainism strongly advocates nonviolence and believes the soul exists in all animals, plants, and even in.
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 is one of the most ancient religions that originated in eastern india and it was founded around the 6th century. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Ancient india history is characterized by great religious aspects, vedic and aryans ages, the first settlers and the mauryan empire mark. All these elements have had influence on the indian religions. Jainism was founded by 24 tirthankaras listed above. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Originating on the indian subcontinent, jainism or, more properly, the jain dharma is one of the oldest religions of its homeland and indeed of the world. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. World chart week2 religion week 2 hinduis m and jainism.
Jainism is one of the oldest religions of india, dating back to as far as ninth century bce. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The crucial details used from the book are on the nonviolent nature of the jains. Jainism has prehistoric origins dating before 3000 bc, and before the beginning of indoaryan culture. Jainism facts, worksheets, history, beliefs, customs. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. This digambar scripture is also known as mahakammapayadipahuda or mahakarmaprabhrut. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. It is believed that jainism was founded by mahavir but the history of jainism is much older than that of mahavir.
Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches way to liberation by living the lives of harmlessness and renunciation. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. This universe, according to jainism, is broad at the top. World chart week2 religion week 2 hinduis m and jainism cosmogony origin of the universe hinduism no founder no starting point jainism founder. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Second, there are two kinds of space within the jain universe world space and nonworld space.
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