Jainism Essay

Buddhism and Jainism, originated and developed individually in the same geographical area of India with neither believing in the existence of God, but they do recognize a higher human form. All three religions believe in a cycle of birth, death and rebirth with the possibility of freeing themselves from this cycle. Buddhism calls this Nirvana, while Jainism calls it moksha and Hindu’s call it samsara. Buddhism believes in the path of

To explain how Gandhi applied the idea of ahimsa to modern times, I will first define ahimsa and then explore ahimsa in the Jain religion more extensively. I will then discuss how Gandhi practiced this concept in life. Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term equivalent to a- not or without hiṁsā- injury, which when translated means “the principle of non-injury to living beings”. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Ahimsa. The supreme principle in Jainism is non violence (ahimsa). It also plays an important role in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other religions, but Jainism is unique in this principle because it demonstrates it to all living beings. Jains believe that everything has the ability to suffer, even non-living things such as rocks, fire, and oil. Therefore ahimsa must include everything on earth. “This view of reality, called hylozoism (Greek: “matter-alive”) may be quite ancient” (Malloy 186). Karma is also an important concept in Jainism being closely connected to reincarnation, liberation (moksha), and ahimsa. “Reincarnation is sometimes called transmigration of the soul, believing that the soul experiences rebirths of different kinds of lives - human, animal or even supernatural - until it reaches its final destination.” http://www.world-religions-professor.com/reincarnation-karma.html. Karma is what determines the course of reincarnation. “The level of rebirth is determined automatically according to one’s state of karma at the time of death of the current

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

Hinduism is known as the world's oldest religion. According to ISKCON Educational Services (2004), it is hard to construct a timeline because Hinduism has no identifiable human founder or specific origin in history. It is so old that its past goes into pre-history. It is extremely diverse with the Hindu people being more interested in the meaning of events than in providing first hand records. There is also no clear-cut divide between history and myth.

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.

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.

Jainism is an ecologically responsible way of life, which is non violent in thoughts, actions, and deeds (Pecorino, 2001). The heart of Jainism is to live and practice ahimsa. This is the action by which all actions are judged (ahimsa| Britannica.com, 2015). The Golden Rule, if you will. The Jain’s believe that life is eternal. That all living souls have the potential of attaining enlightenment and immortality (Raghuram, 2004). If you interrupt the spiritual progress or jiva of an insect, animal, plant or person, you will incur karma (ahimsa | Britannica.com, 2015). Your karma will affect your samsara, and will determine your next incarnation. The purpose in one’s life is to attain liberation from the samsara cycle.

It entails a lifetime of practice and includes being as gentle and harmless as can be. It involves restraint from any act of violence and the Jains uphold this belief with the highest regard. They understand that it takes a great deal more than not harming other living beings but also from harming oneself. The concept of Jains is to achieve freedom of spirit. “Jains do accept ending one’s own life, but we must understand the practice form the Jain point of view and within the context. Jains see all life as a preparation for the liberation of the jiva (Spirit) from the body, and when a person is sufficiently evolved spiritually, that person can then make the final choice to no longer create more karma” Malloy(2013). The Jains believe in nonattachment to earthly possessions, and therefore one can find honor is ending one’s life. Sallekhana or holy death is “the most highly esteemed method, however, is self-starvation,” Malloy (2012.) There by withholding from food the Jains are becoming more selfless and freeing his or her spirit from the earthly plane and achieving a high level of

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

Both Jainism and Sikhism have arisen as alternatives to Hinduism within India. As Molloy highlights, they both share a belief in karma with Hinduism, but both reject the polytheistic and ritualistic elements of Hinduism. Despite these similarities, Jainism and Sikhism are different in their emphasis. The founder of Jainism was named Mahavira. He was the twenty fourth, in a succession of saints, called tirthankaras. Mahavira was born into an aristocratic family, and much of his life is shrouded in legend, but all version of his life story agree, that at the age of 30 he embraced the wandering life of an aesthetic holy man. His is said to have endured much pain, and sacrifice at his own hands, and at the hands of others. During this

Describe the Four Noble Truths that the Buddha taught; how do these represent a reaction against the Vedic and Jain traditions? Why did Buddhism draw more devotees than Jainism.

Ancient India: Buddhism and Jainism were founded in India in the 500’s and 400’s B.C. These two religions spread rapidly in India and both rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmans.

     When I saw that we were going to learn about Jainism, I asked myself, “What is that?” To answer my question I found some information at http://www.religioustolerance.org/jainism.htm. Jainism is nature in the purest and truest form. Jainism is as old as nature, which has no beginning or any end. The idea of Jainism is the mission of nature, which is to work for the good of one and all. The idea of Jainism is to rise from the

In Hinduism, the concept of the almighty God (Brahman, Vishnu, and Shiva), who created the Universe and have the proper powers and possession to destroy it. God is in everything that Hindus’ seek. Buddhism and Jainism have different concepts, as there is no understanding of a God. Jainism embodies Godliness, rather, and focuses on the practice of perfecting the knowledge of peace and an infinite amount of bliss and power. Buddhists have continuously rejected an almighty God or gods.

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.