Jainism presentation

Jainism and Jain Way of Life (Philosophy, Religion, and a Way of Life) By: Yogendra Jain (yokjain@yahoo.com) Jain Center of Greater Boston Non- Violence

Jainism is a Religion and a Way of Life Non-Violence (Ahimsa)http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9NcGAE4WOU Non- Violence

For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing vegetarianismAnimal Compassion Vegetarianism Non- Violence

Meditation For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing Meditation and Yoga Non-Meditation & Yoga Non- Violence Violence

For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing EqualityEquality Non- Non- Violence Violence

Environmentalism For thousands of years, Jains have been Environmentalist Non- Non- Violence Violence

For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing Non-Absolutism (Respect other views) (Truth has many perspectives)Anekantvad Non- Non- Violence Violence

“Soul - God” –Each living beinghas a Soul; God is afully enlightenedSoul. Each Soul iscapable ofbecoming God. Non- Violence

Jain Fundamentals• Who Created the Universe: – No one; Matter changes• Purpose of Life: – Help each other; Realize one’s own full potential; To manage one’s passions;• Who controls your actions – We are responsible for our own actions• How do we become happy – By managing our passions (anger, greed, ego, pride) Non- Violence

Jain Fundamentals (cont.)• Human Suffering is due to: – We are unable to understand our true nature• Is there reincarnation: – Yes – until we reach full realization• Is there a Jain “bible” – Yes.• Tolerance for other religions: – Yes. Respect and understand other faiths Non- Violence

Jain Fundamentals (cont.) ?• Why do we pray? – To celebrate the qualities of perfect Soul• Science – Strong correlation with other religions Non- Violence

Jain Festivals• Mahavir’s Birthday:• Mahavir’s Nirvan Celebration: – Diwali, New year• Paryshan Parv: – Remembering and Practicing the qualities of the Soul Non- Violence

Essence of Jainismin Thoughts/Speech/Action … • Non-Violence (Ahimsa) – Strengthens the autonomy of life of every being; Ahimsa - diet, fellow being, environment, thoughts and actions • Non-One-Sidedness (Anekantavad) – Strengthens the autonomy of thought of every individual • Non-Possession (Aparigraha) – Strengthens the interdependence of all and share limited resources Non- Non- Violence Violence

Timeline Judaism 2600BC 2200BC 1940sAD Israel Abraham Exodus from Egypt Christianity 30BC Christ Islam 571AD Mohammed JainismBeginningless/Endless 557BC, Mahavir Buddhism 483BC Gautam Buddha Beginningless/Endless Hinduism Non- Violence

Mahavira ca. 599-527BCE•Parallels Buddha’s life•Family wealth vs. poverty•Joined ascetics•Became far more extremein practice of Non-Violence•Ahimsa yields true release•Ahimsa produces Jina (releasefrom this life or conqueror overattachment, hence the name Jain) Non- Violence

Palitana, Gujarat Non- Violence

Non-Violence

Jain Monastics: Digambara (“sky clad male monks”)– Given up all belongings– Live alone or in small groups in the forests– Teach Jainism– Spend 3 months during rainy season in one location (to minimize killing insects on the ground from excessive walking) Non- Violence

Jain Monastics: Two major sects • Svetambara (“white clad”) – Wear white robes – Live in community – Admit both men and women – Some wear face masks to protect minute life forms from harm Non- Violence

Jain Way of Life is UniversalIrrespective of your Religion Non- Violence

“Validated” Treasure in Jainism • Non-Violence • Filtered/boiled water • Jain mathematics • Plant life & Environmentalism • Equality towards women • Animal Protection“More than • Molecules and atoms2500 Years old…” • Compassionate diet/ Vegetarianism • Meditation and Yoga – mind Non- Violence

Internal God/Soul versus External GodWestern Schools: JainsimSoul Soul __ Non- Violence

QUALITIES OF SOUL • QUALITIESOmniscience Sentience Everlasting Non- Violence

Liberation Liberation Life span Status Body ObstructiveView Deluding Knowledge Covering Sensation Omniscience Intuition Covering Non- Violence

Choice: Circle of Life or Moksha MokshaCircle of Lifeand “Death” Non- Violence

Karma & Reincarnation western schools: eastern schools: linearity of life cycle cycle of life/death - nirvana heaven nirvana cycle of life/deathbirth: pure enlightenment deathstate elimination of hell karmic bondage Non- Violence

Different CoreWestern Schools: Eastern Schools: External god controls you God is the soul – within you Religion/philosophy/science Religion and philosophy separate are intertwined Linear nature of life/death Cyclic nature of life/death - nirvana Karma determine your As you sow so you reap on next life judgement day Non- Violence

A profound truth for all times“One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation, disregards his own existence which is entwined with them” - Lord Mahavir (599-527 BC) Non- Violence

Help Each Other• Parasparopgraho Jivänäm – – Tattvärtha Sutra All life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence (If one does not care for nature one does not care for oneself) – Refreshingly contemporary in its premise and in its promise. – Forms the basis of the modern day science of ecology. Non- Violence

Non-violence and Compassion (in Jain Scriptures) • Ahimsä is disciplined behavior towards every living being - – Dashvaikalika Sutra (6/9) • Absence of violence of any sort towards all beings at all times is Ahimsä. – Yogasutra • In its absolute definition: ‘Ahimsä is the absence of destructive thoughts, feelings or attitude’ Non- Violence

Why are Jains vegetarians?Non-vegetarian Living - Cruelty to Animals:• Animals Killed per Day in USA Cattle - 130,000 Calves - 7,000 Hogs - 360,000 Chickens - 24,000,000 Non- Violence

Why are Jains Vegetarians (cont.)? Non-vegetarian Living - Impact on Ecology • Greenhouse effect – Worlds 1.3 billion cows annually produce 100 million tons of methane – Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas which traps 25 times as much solar heat as CO2 • Water Consumption – Livestock (Cattle, Calves, Hogs, Pigs) production accounts for more than half of all the water consumed in USA. Non- Violence

Why are Jains Vegetarians ?Non-vegetarian Living - Impact on Ecology• Land Usage – A third of the surface of North America is devoted to grazing – Half of American croplands grow livestock feed for meat and dairy products – 220 million acres of land in the USA have been deforested for livestock production – 25 million acres in Brazil, and half the forests in Central America Non- Violence

Non-Possession• Non-Possession/Self-restraint is the second most important Jain principle – Reduce one’s needs and wants as far as possible. – Not to waste the gifts of nature – Nature provides enough for our NEED not enough for our GREED Non- Violence

The ancient Jain scriptural aphorism • “Aparigraha seve attai karanti prananam behanam” – Lord Mahavir • We kill other lives because of our greed and possessiveness. • This is the primary cause of all violence as well as imbalance in the environment. Non- Violence

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