ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

SR No.: 007719
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 567
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

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is the religion of penance rested on right faith, right knowledge and right conduct (Ratnatraya) which is the path of purification and emancipation from all karmas .The etymology of word "Tapa" itself means self-mortification through right actions. Non-violence along with chastity was its fundamental characteristic based on asceticism from the very start. It is not only associated with T rtha kara Mah vra or Niga tha N taputta but his predecessors Pr van tha and abhadeva also.
The term "Jainism" itself connotes the meaning of asceticism. It is derived from "Jina" meaning conqueror of the pleasures of senses, the spiritual victor, and free from all flaws; and the followers of Jina are called Jains. In fact, Jainism has been in existence as an independent religion even before Vedic religion came to India. It also co-existed with Vedic religion and Buddhism. Therefore, its interaction between them finds ample references to in the early literature like gveda, Atharvaveda, Samhit s, Upani ads, Pur as and P li, Pr krat and Buddhist Sa skrat, literature. c rya Samantabhadra prescribed the definition of and rama a in his work in the verse No.3. 20
Madhyam samadh ty gai sah A au mulag n h rgrahi
Jainism as a Religion
Jainism is a dharma, synonymous with English word religion, as religion is to impose binding duties and required observances on its adherents. Hundreds of definitions of dharma and religion have been made in different perspectives. I need not go into them. As regards the Jain tradition, it has two broad meanings: one is generic in usage and the other, technical and specific to the use of the term. Dharma in technical sense is the basis for dynamism in life that helps in our movement or motion. It is opposed to adharma, stillness or rest. No other system of thought in India has conceived these two terms in such a fashion as in Jain system. It is possible that these two terms may signify the moral connotations of life with its movement and death.
vratapa cakam.
rama ottam. RKSC 3.20
The generic term dharma has two levels of meaning: one is metaphysical and the other one is ethical and moral. All the definitions are related to each other with different aspects. Kundakunda, for instance, defined the dharma in several ways: Vatth s h vo dhammo;, Rayannatayam ca dhammo, Carittam khal dhammo, kham didasaviho hh vo dhammo and so on. These definitions are associated with right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, which are called Ratnatraya. The Ratnatrayas constitute together the path of emancipation from all karmas or attaining Mok a. The religion cannot be observed without Ratnatraya. Here the observation of ten kinds of religion becomes essential in Jain tradition namely: K am (forbearance), M rdava (humility), rjava (uprightness), Satya (truthfulness), auca (desirelessness), Sa yama (self-discipline), Tapa (selfmortification), Ty ga (renunciation), Aki canya (poverty), and B hm c rya (celibacy) (Tattv rthas tra, 9.6; Th na ga, 10.16 etc.).
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This is the generic meaning of Dharma indicating the metaphysical, ethical and moral attitude to human values standpoint (Ni cayanaya). Any one could achieve this goal by one's own efforts. Nonpossession, non-violence and vegetarianism have their roots in such efforts. This is the humanistic approach to the goal of life. The religion in Jain rama a cultural system is of two types: one is pertaining to individual, and the other one is concerned with the society. Individualistic religion is meant for spiritual aggrandizement and pleasure of temporal and next world of all beings whereas the other one confines to the prosperity of the society or community for mundane gratification and nation as well. It is of view that the caste system depends on one's deeds (Kamma aj ti) and not on birth. Maitri friendship), Kar (compassion), M dit or Pramoda (sympathetic joy), and Madhyasthabh va (impartiality) are the cultivation of the social emotions. Samantabhadra gives the actual meaning of Religion in the following verse:
De ay mi sam c na Sams rad kkhata
dharma karmanibarha am.
sattv n yo dharaty ttame s khe. RKSC Verse 2
STUDY NOTES version 4.0