Jainism (Updated)

Vedas

Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism. Their authority was rejected by the Jains.

Caste System

A Hindu social and spiritual classification system that controlled every aspect of daily life. The spiritual aspect of the caste system was rejected by the Jains.

Swastika

A common Indian symbol meaning well-being. It was co-opted and perverted by the Nazis.

mantra

A commonly repeated word or phrase that often carries spiritual significance.

Kalpa

A cosmic epoch which stretches of over an immense period of time during which the 24 tirthankaras appear.

Ajivika

A rival faction in the sramana movement that opposed many core Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist teachings. Notably, its founder, Gosala, preached absolute determinism. There is no escape from samsara, and moksha cannot be achieved.

Guru

A spiritual teacher, often an ascetic, who guides lay Jains. The guru-disciple relationship across India is extremely important.

Bihar

A state of northeastern India that borders Nepal. Both Jainism and Buddhism and initially flourished in this region.

The parable of the blind men and the elephant

A story illustrating the importance and perspective and the Jain doctrine of anekantavada.

Mudra

A symbolic bodily gesture that often carries spiritual significance.

Anekantavada

A type of Jain relativity or intellectual humility, which may be translated as the "doctrine of many-sidedness." Seemingly opposing perspectives are true in different ways.

Bahubali

According to Jain Scriptures, Bahubali was the son of Rishabhanatha. He is considered the first person to achieve Kevala in our current age.

God

Although there is an array of deities in Jainism, there is no personal, omni-God in Jainism as is found in the Abrahamic religions.

What are the five vows (mahavratas) of a Jain monk and nun?

An absolute abstention from (1) violence, (2) stealing, (3) lying, (4) sex, and (5) possessions.

Sadhu/Sannyasin

An ascetic or renunciate.

Paryusana

An eight-day festival marking the end of the rainy season that is celebrated by both sects of Jains and honors ascetic practice through fasting and meditation.

Murti

An image or statue of a Hindu god in which the god is thought to actually be present. The manifestation of a god in aparticular form.

Diksha

An initiation in which a lay person becomes a Jain monk or nun.

Prakrit

Any of the vernaculars of northern and central India that derived from Sanskrit.

Ragas

Emotional states or passions that disrupt the serene nature of the jiva. These emotional states attract karma which bogs down the jiva and prevents an individual from attaining kevala.

Purvas

Fourteen ancient Jain texts that are no longer in extant. They are recognized by both Svetambara and Digambara Jains.

Pavapuri

Is a pilgrimage site in northeast India for the Jains. Pavapuri is located in the state of Bihar near the modern city of Patna. Jains believe that Mahavira reached enlightenment here. Jains also believe he died in Pavapuri as well.

Pataliputra

It was here that the Jains held their first council around the year 200BCE. Various Jain ascetics attempted to standardize the Jain canon; however, due to a lack in Digambara representation, the Digambaras rejected the decisions of the council.

Monism and Dualism

Jains believe that an individual's jiva is composed of the same transcendental material as the essence of the universe; however, an individual's jiva does not become subsumed into the essence of the universe. This makes Jains dualistic, not monistic.

Digambara

Known as the "sky clad" sect of Jainism, monks of this sect do not wear any clothing.

Svetambara

Known as the "white clad" sect of Jainism, monks and nuns of this sect wear simple, white robes and clothing.

Anuvratas

Lesser vows are a less strict version of the five vows, which are taken by lay Jains.

Karma

Literally meaning action in Sanskrit. This is essentially the law of cause and effect in which negative actions bind an individual in samsara. Jains also believe that karma is a physical substance that sticks to the soul.

Angas/Agamas

Literally meaning limbs, the Angas are considered to be the oldest extant Jain scriptures. There are eleven Angas that have survived. They are believed to have originated in the third or second century BCE.

Śramana

Literally means striver or seeker in Sanskrit. This was a large ascetic movement across northern India that flourished around the middle of the first millennium BCE. Both Jainism and Buddhism grew out of this movement.

Ajiva

Matter that lacks consciousness.

Darsana

Meaning view or vision, it is understood as any traditional Indian philosophy.

Aparigraha

Non-attachement, non-possessiveness, non-materialism.

Paryushana

One of the most important Jain festivals that lasts between 8-10 days in August/September. Jains seek to clear the negative karma from the previous year.

What are the four types of rebirth in Jainism?

Plant/animal, human, demon, and god.

What are the three gems of Jainism?

Right faith, knowledge, and conduct

What controversy surrounds the 19th Tirthankara/Jina?

Svetambaras believe that the 19th Tirthankara/Jina was a woman. Digambaras reject this claim.

Parsvanatha

The 23rd Tirthankara who is believed to have lived around the eighth or ninth century BCE. He is often depcited as an ascetic who is protected by a seven-headed cobra.

Mahavira "Great Hero"

The 24th Tirthankara, which in Sanskrit means ford-maker. He was also known as the Jina, which in Sanskrit means victor. He is the last Tirthankara /Jina of the current age.

Moksha/Kevala

The Jain belief in the complete transcendence of the jiva from samsara and the bondage of karma.

Puja

The act of worshipping a deity through small offerings of flowers, foods, and various other objects. These offerings are presented to a physical idol, statue, or icon known in Sanskrit as a murti.

Samsara

The cycle of death and rebirth.

Rishabhanatha

The first tirthankara of our current age.

Sanskrit

The most important sacred language of ancient India, especially in Hinduism.

Ganadharas

The name given to the primary disciples of the Tirthankaras. Mahavira is believed to have had eleven ganadharas.

Iconophilia

The production of and devotion to religious images, statues, and icons.

Jiva

The pure, transcendent essence of an individual, which is often translated into English as soul or spirit. The Sansrkit root jiv means to live or to breathe.

Iconoclasm

The rejection of devotion to religious images, statues, and icons.

What do the Svetambara and Digambara Jains share in common?

The two primary sects of Jainism agree upon cosmology, ethics, and lay practice. The main disagreement revolves around nudity and the enlightenment of women.

Sallekhana

This is the Jain practice of ritually fasting to death.

Yapaniya

This now extint branch of Jainism attempted to bridge the gap between Digambara and Svetambara Jains. This group advocated nudity within the monastic community and modest clothing in public.

Pratikramana

This ritual practice of repentance is performed twice a day; however, there are additional days throughout the year dedicated to pratikramana as well.

What is the Tattvarthasutra?

This sacred scripture is believed to have been written as early as the second century of the Common Era by Umasvati. It is one of the only sacred texts that is accepted as authoritative by both Svetamabaras and Digambaras.

Gosala

Was an Indian ascetic who lived around the time of Buddha and Mahavira; however, he taught a type of fatalism that both rejected.