A short simple introduction to the philosophy

1. J ai nism
Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way
2008 YJA Convention
Chicago, Illinois
Presenter: Ameet Shah

2. What is Jainism?
• ‘Jina’ ‘Spiritual Victor’ over inner enemies
• Distinct and independent of other Indian traditions such as
Hinduism and Buddhism
• Way of life based on ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion
• Believe in philosophy of karma, reincarnation, heaven/hell, and
liberation (moksha)
• Soul is ignorant of its true nature and bounded by karma since
eternity
• To overcome suffering, you need (1) Right Faith, (2) Right
Knowledge, and (3) Right Conduct
• Whole truth cannot be realized from single viewpoint-
Anekantavada (non-absolutism)
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

3. Namokkar Mantra
Namo Arihantanam
I bow to all Arihants (Tirthankars) who have destroyed all 4 Ghati karmas
Namo Siddhanam
I bow to all Siddhas (liberated souls) who possess no karma
Namo Ayariyanam
I bow to all the Acharyas, the heads of various Jain congregations
• Most revered prayer Namo Uvajjhayanam
I bow to all Upadhyays, learned scholars and teachers of Jain scriptures
• Rosary has 108 beads
representing 108 qualities Namo Loe Savva Sahunam
I bow to all Sadhus/Sadhvis (ascetics) who strictly follow 5 great vows of conduct
of these 5 supreme beings
Esa Pancha Namukkaro
To these 5 types of great souls, I offer my prayers
Savva Pava Panasano
May such prayer help diminish all my negative vibrations and sins
Mangalanam cha Savvesim
Padhamam Havai Mangalam
Offering this prayer is the foremost amongst all auspicious benedictions
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

4. Concept of God
FOUNDER LORD MAHAVIR
•Jainism – eternal philosophy •Prince raised as Vardhaman
•Tirthankars continually modify code •Left family/royal household at 30
of conduct/practices based on their •Emphasized celibacy and six daily
time in history observances for followers
•Tirthankar Mahavir, 24th tirthankar •At age 72, attained Nirvana (final
established a religious order based death) – Diwali is celebrated to honor
on Jain philosophy this achievement
CONCEPT OF GOD •Preached universal love, reduction
•Not a creator, protector, destroyer of wants/desires
of universe •True nature of reality is timeless
•Various “gods” – all have conquered •Jain scriptures: Agams (12 books)
inner enemies and achieved ultimate
goal of liberation
•At death, arihants become siddhas
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

5. Three Cardinal Principles of Conduct
Ahimsa
(Non-Violence)
Anekantavada
(Multiplicity of Views)
Aparigraha
(Non-Possessiveness)
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

6. Five Great Vows
• Ahimsa (Nonviolence/Compassion)
• Satya (Truth)
• Asteya (Non-Stealing)
• Brahmacharya (Chastity)
• Aparigraha (Non-Possession/Non-Attachment)
Laypeople have 12 vows (“Anuvrats”) that include the above 5 (to a limited
extent) plus 7 related to merit (3) and discipline (4)
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

7. Six Universal Substances
• Only living substance – conscious and possesses knowledge
Jiva (Soul/Consciousness) • Invisible, infinite numbers in universe
• Nonliving substance – visible and nonvisible
Pudgal (Matter) • Many types – soul interacts with 8 types of matter
• Helps the soul and matter migrate from one place to another
Dharma (Medium of Motion) in the universe – not cause, but helper
• Helps the soul and matter rest, not cause, but helper
Adharma (Medium of Rest)
• Lokakash (universe) – occupied by 5 substances; finite
Akasha (Space) • Alokakash – limitless space surrounding Lokakash; empty/void
• Two views: time – imaginary thing with no real existence or it
Kal (Time)
has real existence made up of innumerable time atoms
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

8. Space and Time
Space Time Cycle
Regressive
Alokakash
Half Cycle
Moksha 6. Very Happy 1. Very Happy
6 1
Upper
World
5. Happy 2. Happy
5 2
Middle
World
4. Happy-
4 3 3. Happy-
Lower Unhappy Unhappy
World 3 4
Lokakash 3. Unhappy- 2 5 4. Unhappy-
Happy
1 6 Happy
2. Unhappy 5. Unhappy
1. Very Unhappy 6. Very Unhappy
Progressive
Half Cycle
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

9. Karma Philosophy: Nine Fundamentals
(Tattvas) to our soul are due not only to our actions of body, mind, and soul,
Karma that bind
but more importantly to the intentions behind our actions
Jiva Bandha Samvar
(Soul/Consciousness) (Characteristics of Bondage) (Stoppage of Attachment)
Ajiva Nirjara
Punya*
(Non-living Substances – (Exhaustion of Accumulated
(Merit of Good Deeds)
Karmic Matter) Karma)
Moksha
Asrava Pap*
(Total Liberation from all
(Causes of Bondage) (Sin of Bad Deeds)
Karma)
* Sometimes included in Asrava, since they are the result of Asrava
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

10. Four Passions
Wrong faith/perception of reality, lack of self-restraint, spiritual laziness, passions
and activities of body, speech, and mind, lead to the attachment of karma
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YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

11. Types of Karmas
Asrava causes karma particles to attach to the soul – once attached, karma’s bondage
is explained in 4 forms: type, duration, intensity, and quantity of karma particles
Ghati Karmas (Destructive Karma) Aghati Karmas (Non-destructive Karma)
Mohaniya Vedaniya
(Deluding Karma) (Feeling Pertaining Karma)
Jnanavaraniya Nam
(Knowledge Obscuring Karma) (Body/Physique Determining Karma)
Darshanavaraniya Gotra
(Perception Obscuring Karma) (Status Determining Karma)
Antaraya Ayusha
(Obstructing Karma) (Life Span Determining Karma)
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

12. Path of Liberation
One can detach from one’s karma and attain liberation by understanding the true
nature of the soul
Three Jewels of Jainism
Samyak Darshan Samyak Gnan Samyak Charitra
(Right Conviction/Faith) (Right Knowledge) (Right Conduct)
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism

13. Questions?
Michchhami Dukkadam!
ameetshah@gmail.com
YJA 2008 - Generation Jain: Jainism Your Way Jainism