Jainism originated in India between the 7th and 5th centuries BC and was founded by Mahavira. It shares some beliefs with Hinduism and Buddhism such as karma, reincarnation, and the concept of moksha or liberation. While Jainism does not actively seek converts, it has spread due to the respect for Mahavira's teachings and the peaceful conduct of Jain communities. Modern Jain philosophy emphasizes non-violence and preservation of the environment, and if more widely adopted, could help address issues of violence and environmental destruction globally.

1. Final Project: Jainism
By: Breanna Lewis
Hinduwebsite.com
Mindyourwings.wordpress.com

2. Questions I had about Jainism
 What is Jainism?
 How did it spread, and how it stayed throughout history?
 The most important question: Why did our history book Worlds
Together, Worlds Apart mention it only a handful of times, but never
went into detail about this religion?
 What is its significance in history; if it even has any significance
throughout history
https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/metals/rea
der-question-how-do-you-differentiate-
between-lead-and-zinc/

3. When and Where did Jainism originate?
 Originated in India around the Ganges Basin
-Shown in the picture to the left, in dark purple
 Said to have started between the 7th and 5th Centuries
-Also believed to have originated earlier than that
www.wikipedia.com

4. Jainism was founded by whom, and their
significance?
 Jainism was founded by a person named Vardhamana, who
was also called Mahavira. More commonly known as Lord
Mahavir
 He was the 24th and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion
- Tirthankara is the one who establishes the four fold order (Monk,
Nun, Layman, and Laywoman) of the religion
 He is the one who established the religion as being simple and
natural; free from the elaborate ritual complexities of other
religions
 His teachings reflected the popular impulse towards internal
beauty and harmony of the soul
www. http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-
religions/mahavira.html

5. Jainism’s Founder Continued
 Fun Facts:
 Born in 599 B.C in Kshatriyakund, Vaishali (in modern day
Bihar)
 His parents names were Kingh Siddhartha and Queen Trishala
 His wife was named Yashoda
 He had one daughter named Priyadarshana
 It took him 72 years to attain Moksha
Moksha is the end of the cycle of rebirth: Enlightenment
 He died 527 B.C, at the age of 72.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavira

6. Common features of the similar religions
(Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism)
 Karma
 Reincarnation
 Self realization
 Freedom to choose if they belief in a God(s) or that there is no-God(s)
 Suffering is a soul's ignorance
 No Judgment Day
 No eternal Hell/Heaven
 Liberation, also known as Moksha (liberation of the cycle of rebirth)
 Cremation at the time of death
https://www.emaze.com/@AOR
LROZQ

7. Spread of Jainism Pt. 1
 In the 19th century, it was important learn and conceptualize Jainism
 It was important because in order to explore the different branches of different
religions, they had to learn the heart each religion; what separates it from the
others?
 John Wilson and John Murray Mitchell were major contributors to excavating
19th century British ideas of Jainism
 They were British Christian Missionaries
 They came into contact with more than 50 Jains living in eastern India
 They concluded that Jainism is a deep rooted religion, authentic from the way
they dress to how they speak to one another; including people from other
religions
 This source did not explain how Jainism spread. Only explained how Jains
interact socially.
http://www.indiathenation.com/
history-of-jainism-and-
mahavira-jainism-originator/

8. The Spread of Jainism Pt.2
 Because the last source did not tell me how it spread, I found another
source that suggests why that is:
 Jains don’t actually try and convert people within their religion
 So how did the religion spread?
 Remember the last Tirthankara?
-Tirthankara means “a savior who has succeeded in crossing over life's
stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow”
 Jains looked at this as a path to follow, and paved the way for generations
to come
 It encouraged the followers along their path toward their final liberation
 Basically, they were very accepting to anyone who is interested
 Not exactly answering the question of how Jainism spread, but it suggests
how it is possible
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tirth
ankara

9. Modern Day Jainism:
Can it change the world?
 The three basic vows of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are:
-trying to achieve moksha
-ethical behaviors of preaching non-violence and earth preservation
-and regulated moral codes that somewhat differ throughout each belief.
 All following a same/different set of moral codes
 For Jainism, they pretty much disregard any need for clothing because it
can cause harm to the environment and plants surrounding
-The clothes they do wear are white because it means leadership
 Needless to say, if the rest of the world followed the three basic vows of
these religions:
- then everyone would be participating together in order to preserve the
natural world; help restore its basic foundation
 Conclusion: this potentially could also be the answer to the worlds problem
of violence, and counteracting acts of violence, and counteracting the
current state of destruction to the earth
https://soulbyrds.com/events/seminars/
6-2016-a-shift-in-paradigm

10. Conclusion: Final Thoughts Pt.1
 How this all came to be:
 At first, I had no idea what Jainism was
 First question I had was: What is Jainism?
 Second question was: why in the section called “Political and Religious Change in South Asia” in our history book Worlds
Together, Worlds Apart, on page 282, it only mentions Jainism, once but didn’t describe any further than that?
 Third Question was: How did it spread because it was and still is such a small religion compared to others
 Throughout all my findings, here is what I learned:
 In the early 1900’s, British Christian missionaries saw Jains in their own society, but acting civil regardless of the others
religion(s) present, and how deeply rooted the religion was
 Potentially how Jainism spread
 How the religions Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are common
 And finally, if the world was to follow the basic features provided by Jainism beliefs, the world would be a different but
better place

11. Conclusion Pt.2
 The questions I didn’t get answers for:
 How Jainism actually spread if they didn’t try to convert people?
 Why Jainism was mentioned in Worlds Together, Worlds Apart,
without further detail?
 Did Jainism changed any part of history back before the 21st Century
that I just couldn’t find?
 Does Jainism have more than just potential to change history as we
know it?
http://misaramirez.com/for-writers/why-do-
we-enjoy-mysteries-so-much/
http://fishtownbeerrunners.com/201
3/09/september-19-mystery-run/

12. The End
Thank you for watching! Hope you enjoyed and learned
something new!
http://saintluxx.com/jainism-gentlest-religion-on-earth/