Jain Center ST Louis 1999 05 Pratistha

SR No.: 528531
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center St Louis
Publisher: USA Jain Center St Louis MO
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MO St Louis, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

Page 32

Jainism Dipak Kapadia
Jainism is one of the oldest religions of the world. Though a religion of small minority, Jainism is not the religion of particular race, caste or community. People from all the four classified castes of ancient India-Brahmin, Kshtriya, Vaishya and Shudra have followed Jainism. In the practice of Jainism, there is nothing that would bar a person from following Jainism. Hence Jainism is a universal religion.
According to Jainism, the laws of Karma lead us to believe in the theory of rebirth. With the laws of karma, Jainism explains why there are sorrows and joys, happiness and unhappiness, prosperity and adversity in the world. Why is one person rich and another poor? In accordance with Jainism there are eight types of karma and whatever happens to any living being at any time is due to the nature and intensity of relevant karma. These eight types of karma are:
The followers of Jainism are called Jainas. The word "Jaina" is derived from the sanskrit word "Jina". Jina means the conqueror or victorious - those souls who have conquered all their passions and have attained liberation. A Jina who leads and guides his followers is called Tirthankara. According to Jainism, time is cyclic. One cycle of time, consisting of six parts of ascendance and six parts of descendence of cycle. There are twenty-four such Tirthankaras. In the present cycle of time, the first Tirthankara is Bhagavan Adinatha and the last Tirthankara is Bhagavan Mahavira.
1. Jnaanvarniya 2. Darshanavarniya 3. Vedaniya 4. Mohaniya 5. Aayu 6. Nama
regarding knowledge regarding faith regarding experience regarding attachment regarding life and age regarding different physical and other attributes regarding family ties regarding obstacles in different activities of life
7. Gotra 8. Antraya
Jainism is founded on three basic principles: AHIMSA - NON-VIOLENCE, SANYAM - SELF-CONTROL and TAP - PENANCE. Ahimsa or non-violence should be practiced in thought, action and speech. Sanyam or selfcontrol means proper control of action, speech and thought. It also means acting with due consideration of other person's feelings. And Tap or penance means austerity. This is self-control by way of fasting, meditation, study, etc. This control is aimed to lift the soul above the pleasure and pains of our life. Ahimsa - noninjury towards all living beings, is the cornerstone of Jainism. Jains believe in reincarnation based on cause and effect laws of karma. One's own efforts attains the salvation. All souls are alike, none is superior or inferior. A Jain's aim in this life is for liberation and achievement of nirvana, a state of eternal bliss and knowledge.
Of all these karma it is most difficult to conquer the fourth karma of attachment because of its association with anger, greed, ego, infatuations, deceit, etc. To attain Nirvana one must free oneself from the bondage of karma. This could be attained by adopting the right path of liberation and following the path guided by Jainism, three guiding lights "three jewels of Jainism” right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. In order to acquire the above mentioned "jewels" one must follow the proper code of conduct. The code of conduct for Jains consists of the following five vows:
1. Ahimsa 2. Satya 3. Asteya 4. Brahmacharya 5. Aparigraha
Non-violence Speaking truth Refraining from theft Purity of body and mind Non-possessiveness
Jainas are expected to fulfill their responsibility towards their family, society and
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