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'''Jainism''', also known as '''Jain Dharma''', is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of Dharma), with the first in the current time cycle being Rishabhadeva, whom the tradition holds to have lived millions of years ago. More recent innovators of the faith were the twenty-third tirthankara Parshvanatha, whom historians date to the 9th century BCE, and the twenty-fourth tirthankara Mahavira, around 600 BCE. | '''Jainism''', also known as '''Jain Dharma''', is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of Dharma), with the first in the current time cycle being Rishabhadeva, whom the tradition holds to have lived millions of years ago. More recent innovators of the faith were the twenty-third tirthankara Parshvanatha, whom historians date to the 9th century BCE, and the twenty-fourth tirthankara Mahavira, around 600 BCE. | ||
All four Dharmic religions | All four Dharmic religions (Jainism, [[Hinduism]], Sikhism, and [[Buddhism]]) have some similarities in concepts and doctrines such as karma and rebirth. | ||
Jainism is considered to be an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every time cycle of the cosmology. The three main pillars of Jainism are ''ahiṃsā'' (non-violence), ''anekāntavāda'' (non-absolutism), and ''aparigraha'' (asceticism). | Jainism is considered to be an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every time cycle of the cosmology. The three main pillars of Jainism are ''ahiṃsā'' (non-violence), ''anekāntavāda'' (non-absolutism), and ''aparigraha'' (asceticism). | ||
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However, Jainism believes in the world of heavenly and [[demon|hellish beings]] who are born, die and are reborn like earthly beings. The souls who live happily in the body of a heavenly celestial do so because of their positive karma. It is further stated that they possess a more transcendent knowledge about material things and can anticipate events in the human realms. However, once their past karmic merit is exhausted, it is explained that their souls are reborn again as humans, animals or other beings. | However, Jainism believes in the world of heavenly and [[demon|hellish beings]] who are born, die and are reborn like earthly beings. The souls who live happily in the body of a heavenly celestial do so because of their positive karma. It is further stated that they possess a more transcendent knowledge about material things and can anticipate events in the human realms. However, once their past karmic merit is exhausted, it is explained that their souls are reborn again as humans, animals or other beings. | ||
The perfect enlightened souls with a body are called ''Arihants'' (victors) and perfect souls without a body are called ''Siddhas'' (liberated souls). Only a soul with human body can attain enlightenment and liberation. The liberated beings are the supreme beings and are worshipped by all heavenly, earthly and hellish beings who aspire to attain liberation themselves. | The perfect enlightened souls with a body are called ''Arihants'' (victors) and perfect souls without a body are called ''Siddhas'' (liberated souls). Only a soul with human body can attain [[enlightenment]] and liberation. The liberated beings are the supreme beings and are worshipped by all heavenly, earthly and hellish beings who aspire to attain liberation themselves. | ||
==The Five Vows== | ==The Five Vows== | ||
[[File:Jain Statue.jpg|350px|thumb|Tirthankara Suparshvanatha in standing meditation posture protected by a cobra]] | [[File:Jain Statue.jpg|350px|thumb|Tirthankara Suparshvanatha in standing [[meditation]] posture protected by a cobra]] | ||
Jainism teaches five ethical duties, which it calls five vows. These are called ''anuvratas'' (small vows) for Jain laypersons, and ''mahavratas'' (great vows) for Jain mendicants. For both, its moral precepts preface that the Jain has access to a guru (teacher, counsellor), deva (Jina, god), doctrine, and that the individual is free from five offences: doubts about the faith, indecisiveness about the truths of Jainism, sincere desire for Jain teachings, recognition of fellow Jains, and admiration for their spiritual pursuits. Such a person undertakes the following Five vows of Jainism: | Jainism teaches five ethical duties, which it calls five vows. These are called ''anuvratas'' (small vows) for Jain laypersons, and ''mahavratas'' (great vows) for Jain mendicants. For both, its moral precepts preface that the Jain has access to a guru (teacher, counsellor), deva (Jina, god), doctrine, and that the individual is free from five offences: doubts about the faith, indecisiveness about the truths of Jainism, sincere desire for Jain teachings, recognition of fellow Jains, and admiration for their spiritual pursuits. Such a person undertakes the following Five vows of Jainism: | ||
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==Meditation== | ==Meditation== | ||
Jainism considers meditation (''dhyana'') a necessary practice, but its goals are very different from those in [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]]. In Jainism, meditation is concerned more with stopping karmic attachments and activity, not as a means to transformational insights or self-realization in other Indian religions. | Jainism considers [[meditation]] (''dhyana'') a necessary practice, but its goals are very different from those in [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]]. In Jainism, meditation is concerned more with stopping karmic attachments and activity, not as a means to transformational insights or self-realization in other Indian religions. | ||
Jain meditation is also referred to as ''Sāmāyika'' which is done for 48 minutes in peace and silence. A form of this which includes a strong component of scripture study is mainly promoted by the Digambara tradition of Jainism. The word ''Sāmāyika'' means "being in the moment of continuous real-time." | Jain meditation is also referred to as ''Sāmāyika'' which is done for 48 minutes in peace and silence. A form of this which includes a strong component of scripture study is mainly promoted by the Digambara tradition of Jainism. The word ''Sāmāyika'' means "being in the moment of continuous real-time." | ||
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[[Category:Religions]] | [[Category:Religions]] | ||
[[Category:Eastern Religions]] | |||