The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Similarly, the millionsstrong chaos of holy festivals like kumbh mela, held when certain astrological requirements are met, is something alien to western culture. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Jainism s core belief is ahimsa, or noninjury to all living things. List of books and articles about jainism online research. 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 mahavira and jaina tradition. 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. 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. In accordance with their practice of nonviolence, the monks also use a peacockfeather duster to clear their path of insects to avoid trampling them. A pictorial essay illustrating the plight of a jain digambara sadhu nakedskyclad holy man in amsterdam. There, we heard of a small village kundalpur, where hundreds of jain monks will gather in a twoday festival to celebrate fifty women becoming jain mothers.
The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. May 18, 2006 this point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Skyclad neopaganism, the practice of ritual nudity in neopaganism skyclad band, a british folk metal band. Jainism is a religion and philosophy native to india founded in about the 6th century bc by the sage mahavira. I was surprised to discover that jainism dates from the time of the buddha, and has such a large following today. Oct 20, 2011 this page lists some jain festivals and holy days, including the birthday of mahavira and paryushana, which started as a monastic day of reflection. 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. 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. It was written in the jain prakrit and includes the navkar mantra.
Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Definitely worth reading, especially if you revere nature and are dubious about monotheistic religions. 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. He was the first of twentyfour teachers in the present halfcycle of time in jain cosmology, and called a ford maker because his teachings helped one across the sea of interminable rebirths and deaths. The jain literature which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Skyclad band, a british folk metal band disambiguation page providing links to topics that could be referred to by the same search term this disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title skyclad. The split did not incur doctrinal or moral differences but only. Aug 29, 2008 what is kalpa sutra and why do jains read it. Introduction jain or more properly speaking jaina means a follower of jina, which is applied to those persons who have conquered the lower nature, passion, hatred, etc. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Muslims base their laws on their holy book quran and the sunnah. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. The institute of jainology has begun publishing a learn jainism series to support the material on the learn jainism website.
Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. 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. Online shopping for jainism religion from a great selection at books store. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings and practices of the. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. In practice, some places are definitely of more importance to svetambaras than to digambaras and vice versa, and these are managed by institutions affiliated to one sect or the other. They are declaration of faith, praying five times a day, giving money to charity, fasting and pilgrimage to mecca at least once. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. The most momentous event, which occurred about 80 a. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourses of the tirthankaras. This page lists some jain festivals and holy days, including the birthday of mahavira and paryushana, which started as a monastic day of reflection.
The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. While the majority of pilgrimage places in india are sacred to the followers of hinduism, there are numerous holy sites of other religions such as jainism, buddhism and islam. Dec 12, 2017 just like those and otherworldly religions, jainism has its share of holy days and festivals that carry significance to adherents and are generally followed and honored with rituals and celebrations to further the goal of achieving spiritual purity. Jainism history and beliefs history jains believe that their founder, vardhamana mahavira 599527 bce is the last of 24 holy teachers who came to teach the way of self mastery. 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. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures.
The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. The history of jainism after lord mahavira is recorded in the jaina literature preserved in various indian languages. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The books are for children between the ages of around five to eleven. Holy days, festivals and rituals fasting is the very imporatant part of the jains tradition. The most enjoyable parts of the book were its discussions of jainist ethics and the nature of the life force.
In principle jain holy places are sacred for all the jains. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax. The oldest inscription in maharashtra is a 2ndcentury bc jain inscription in a cave near pale village in the pune district. Jainism has no belief in a creator god, though there are a number of lesser deities for various aspects of life. The marathi jainism is basically originated from maharashtra and flourished here. Introduction jain philosophy god world doctrine of karma and reincarnation triple jewels moksha. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Digambar, a sect of jainism often translated as sky clad.
So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already and had a long tradition. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. I can remember the first time i heard about the skyclad jain monks, ascetics who renounce all worldly possessions, including their clothes. Rishabhanatha also abhadeva, rishabhadeva, or abha is the first tirthankara ford maker of jainism. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. Start studying hinduism jainism, sikhism world religion pt. 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. It was founded as a reaction against the vedic religion, which required animal sacrifices. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain.
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