Jainism

Upon reading about the historical and religious background of Ancient India, one can clearly assume that the country was strongly influenced by three main religious teachings: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. These three sects in religious thinking have many similarities as all recognize the life-cycle and the need of liberation, they worship one central deity that used to be a human who gained enlightenment and they all recognize the existence of the eternal soul and after-death re-incarnation. However, they also share a lot of differences that mark the underlying principles of practicing them. I will identify the scope of differences and similarities in these ancient religions in an attempt to understand why each attracted followers, why

The first path consists of Samma ditthi, the right understanding of the Four Noble Truths. The second path is Sammas sankappa, the right thinking and following of the right path in life. The third path is called Samma vaca and this is the right speech meaning no lying, criticism, condemning, gossiping, or the use of harsh language. Samma kammanta is the fourth path which says the right conduct by following the Five Precepts. Samma ajiva which states the right livelihood to support yourself without harming others. Samma vayama is the right effect to promote good thoughts and conquer evil thoughts. Samma sati is the right mindfulness that one becomes aware of your body, mind and feelings. The eighth path would be Samma Samadhi which states the right concentration that one can meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness.

In his article, Chidester discusses the intricacy of defining religion and the role it plays in American popular culture. He does this by showing us three theoretical models: the institution of baseball, the symbolism involved with Coca-Cola, and the ritual of the gift-giving Native American potlatch as suggested in the rock ‘n’ roll song “Louie, Louie. Throughout the article, Chidester explains ways in which each model might be seen as examples of religion and its common practices. By referring to “The Church of Baseball” he compares the dedication to baseball, its followers, and its traditions to the institution of church by their supporting customs, a sense of belonging, a time of ritual, and a sacred place. “The Fetish of Coca-Cola” suggests

1. Ahimsa- nonviolence belief means extremely gentle or harmless. This is the core belief in Jainism. It includes avoiding occupations that may harm other living animals including insects, using items made from animals such as leather and feathers.

     Jainism was distinguished for their extreme practices, even to the severity of death by self starvation. They focus on asceticism or the mortification of the flesh and individuals, striving toward moral perfection by means of nonviolence. They especially avoid harming any living creature since every manifestation of nature has

Religion is a very intellectual topic in the world. There are so many different types of religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Jainism, and many more. So many people in this world believe in numerous different religions. Some believe in one god, and others believe in hundreds. Hinduism and Buddhism are popular religions that are practiced around the world.

_____ 5. The bar or bat mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony in _______.

The view of good and evil in Jainism also is to a great extent similar to that in Hinduism. The concept of karma occupies a place of importance in Jainism also, however, slightly different. In a person’s life god gives rise to happiness and evil to pain and misery. ‘Punya’ is the consequence of good deeds and ‘Paap’ of evil. In Jainism as a man does, he is repaid with it. One who sows ‘Paap’ or evil, gets evil in return and one who sows ‘Punya’, finds everything good in his life. Moksha is the elimination of everything good and bad. Evil karmas or wrong doings result in low birth in the next life. So, Jainism also views good and evil as a part of a person’s life.It is our Karma that according to Jainism determines the quality of our life. (Sivananda, 2004)

Jains see the principle of ahimsa, the principle of non-violence, as fundamental. Sikhs do find nonviolence as an important, but not on the fundamental level of Jains. Sikhs will permit violence on defensive grounds.

They see it as a true substance that binds to the jiva with each activity. They believe that our souls attract karmas through activitiesrelated to mind, body, and speech. For example, when you get angry, kill, deceive, or become greedy that the karma will attach itself to the jiva. Then karma begins to form layers and layers on the jiva and hinders us from realizing our true potential. Thus making one continue to go through the cycle of birth and death. The Jain doctrine states that it is possible for us to be able to modify our karma, and to obtain release from it, through the strictness and purity of conduct. Such as, to practice the virtues of truth (satya), the practice of non-violence (ahisma), practice austerity (brahmachara), and practice non-possessiveness

A third teaching of Jainism is that lying and exaggeration are damaging practices that are to be avoided. On another hand Jainism also teaches that “absolute truth” is impossible to express because everyone experiencing any given situation from a unique perspective. Other teachings condemn stealing, and confine acceptable sexual practices to those between a married couple, both of which try to curb improper desire, and stop the perpetuation of pain inflicted on others. These teachings, which emphasized acceptable societal practices are similar to the Dharma of Hinduism, which emphasized social obligations (Molloy, p196, 2010).

It is estimated that around 3.8 billion people in the world follow a religion that has either branched off of or has been significantly influenced by Judaism. Judaism is an ancient religion from the Middle East based off of the Hebrew Torah that teaches devotion to an all-powerful monotheistic God and the reality of an afterlife. Although only accounting for a tiny percent of the world’s religious followers, Judaism has had a greater impact on the world than any other religion in the history of mankind. The foundations of Judaism teach truths held by the world’s most prominent religions.

Jainism and Buddhism acknowledge extremely similar aspects in their respective religions. They both have a grounded belief of karma, samsara, and one of liberation. Although these basic principle are the same, they have differences within them. In this essay, it will discuss the similarities and differences between the basic beliefs and traditions regarding karma, samsara, recognition of the self, and final liberation in regards to Jain and Buddhist religions.

Jains have five incredibly important aspects that they follow. The first is ahimsa, non-harm, not only to themselves but to everyone and their environment. Next, Jains believe in telling the truth; they don't believe in over exaggerating or lying because it can cause pain to someone (which brakes ahimsa).

Jainism and Buddhism share some common ground and similarities in their beliefs and practices, and they also have features that make them unique and distinctively different from the other. Some of the central similarities of Jainism and Buddhism can be found in when and where their traditions originated, resemblances in their primary teachers, their religious goals, nonbelief in a creator, and their values of nonattachment and nonviolence. Some differences between Jainism and Buddhism are found in their karmic principles and the conception of the soul. There seems to be more parallels shared between Jainism and Buddhism than discrepancies.