8/9/2019 wr_ch05notes

1/5

CHAPTER FIVE: JAINISM

Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries

I.

Introduction: Sixth Century B.C.E. Protest Against Hinduism

A. Jainism and Buddhism Reject Vedic Literature as Inspired Scriptureand Religious Implications of Caste System

B. Jainism is Probably Earlier than BuddhismII. The Life of Mahavira

A. The Founders of Jainism1.

Orthodox Jainism Sees Multiple Founders

a. The Tirthankaras: Twenty-four Figures Identifiedwith Founding of Jainism

b. The Tirthankaras are Crossing Builders WhoForge Ideal Bridge Between this Life and Nirvana

2. Nataputta Vardhamana, Know to Followers as Mahavira(great hero)

a. Considered the Twenty-fourth Tirthankara byOrthodox Jainism

b. Considered the Founder by his FollowersB. The Life of Mahavira (circa 599-527 B.C.E.)

1. Contemporary of Siddhartha Gautame, Confucious, Lao-tzu,Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and School of Isaiah chapters 40-66

2. Details of Life and Teachinga. Surrounded by Legend, Difficult to Identify Pure

Details from Buddhist-Influenced Detailsb. Mahavira Born into Wealthy Family of a Ruler

(Kshatriya) Caste in North Indiac. Dissatisfied with Wealth, Joins Asceticsd. Dissatisfied with Ascetics Moderation, Advocates

More Extreme Asceticism and Doctrine ofAhimsa

(non-injury to life) to Find Release of Soul fromLife (moksha)

8/9/2019 wr_ch05notes

2/5

(1)Avoided Killing Anything, Even Insects(2)Sought Detachment through Extreme

Privations

e.

Known to Followers as Conqueror (Jina) forConquering Forces of Life and Escaping Cycle ofBirth, Death, Rebirth

III.The Teachings of JainismA. The Problem of Perpetual Reincarnation at Core of Jainism

1. People Trapped in Cycle of Births Because of Karma ofPrevious Lives

2.

Negative Karma Minimized by Avoiding Activity

B. Jainisms Dualism1. Universe Composed of Matter (ajiva) and Soul (jiva)2. Souls Enmeshed in Evil Matter / Flesh are Trapped in Cycles

of Lives

a. Women Considered Too Fleshly for Liberationb. Mahavira Consider Women Great Religious Danger

3. The Liberation of the Soul Requires Tormenting the Flesh toRelease the Soul

4. Only the Individual Can Accomplish the Release of His / HerSoul from the Flesh

a. The gods Might Exist but No Use to Individualb. Prayer, Worship, Ritual, Sacrifice are Uselessc. Only Some Individuals Have the Ability to

Undertake Severe Asceticism (Monks)

d. Jain Monks Take Five Vows(1)Non-injury to Life (ahimsa), Implying

Avoidance of Leather, Farming, Walking on

8/9/2019 wr_ch05notes

3/5

Insects, and thus NecessitatingVegetarianism and Urban Living

(2)Always Speak the Truth(3)Take Only What is Given(4)Renounce Sexual Pleasure(5)

Renounce All Attachments, IncludingFamily and All Possessions

e. Jain Laypersons Follow Only First Three Vows,With All the Risks for Soul this Entails

5. Jain Scriptures CalledAgamas (precepts) orSiddhantas(treatises)

a. TheAgamas: Sermons Preached by Mahavirab.

Jain Sects Disagree on Number of GenuineAgamas

IV.Jain SectsA. Two Main Jain Sects Emerge by 80 C.E.

1. The Svetambara (the white clad) Sect in Northern Indiaa. Most Popular Jain Sectb. Liberal in Reading ofAgamasc. Allow Monks to Wear White, Reject Necessity of

Nudity

d. Allow Women in the Religion, Monasteries, andTeach Women can Find Release

2. TheDigambara (the sky clad) Sect in Southern Indiaa. Conservative in Reading ofAgamasb. Require Near Nudity for Monksc. Women Have no Chance of Achieving Release, are

Great Danger to Religious Purity of Men

B. The Sthanakavasi Arises in 1473 C.E.1. Splinter Group from the Svetambara Sect2. Rejects Temples and Idols3. Accepts Only Thirty-threeAgamas as Authentic, as Opposed

to the Eighty-four Accepted by Other Two Sects

8/9/2019 wr_ch05notes

4/5

V. Jain FestivalsA. Festivals Celebrate Events in the Life of Each TirthankarasB.

Paijusana

1. Most Popular Festival2. Held at End of Jain Year (August-September)3. Eight Day Festival in Which all Jain Laity are Encouraged to

Live as Monks for At Least One Twenty-four Hour Period

4. Ends with Processions and Almsgiving to PoorC.

Divali

1. Jainisms Appropriation of Hindu Holy Day for Worship ofgoddess Kali

2. Jains Light Lamps to Remember Release of MahaviraVI.Jainism Today

A. Minority Religion1. Over 40,000 Temples in India to Venerate Tirthankaras2. Minority in India Because Doctrines ofAhimsa and

Emphasis on Asceticism Appropriated by MainstreamHinduism

3. Estimated 3.7 Million Jains Worldwidea. Practice Rituals in Homeb. Practice Individual Meditation

B. Jain Occupations1. Doctrine of Ahimsa Leads Jains to Refuse Careers as

Soldiers, Butchers, Leather Workers, Exterminators, Farmers

2. Jains Tend to Work in Commercial Professions, Respectedfor Honesty in Business

8/9/2019 wr_ch05notes

5/5

Key Names, Concepts, and Terms

Mahavira jiva and ajiva

Moksha Svetambara

Agamas/Siddantas DigambaraTithankaras ahimsai