$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 27

INTRODUCTION
A03 Basics of Jainism
Religion
"Any activity of thought, speech or action that helps us get rid of our vices/inner enemies such as anger, ego, deceit and greed is a Jain religious activity".
02 Main Principles/Tenets of Jainism
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
Ahimsä, or non-violence, is a very broad subject. Jains believe that all life forms have a soul, and all souls are basically equal and should be treated with respect. This teaches us universal love and compassion towards all living beings. Violence can be committed in three ways thoughts, words and actions.
Violent actions are obviously harmful to both, the doer and the receiver.
Violent words leave permanent scars in the heart and the mind of the other
As thoughts are the root cause of words and actions, violent thoughts that may or may not result in violent actions are considered bad because they do the most damage to your soul.
Vegetarianism is just an expression of this belief of compassion for all living beings Anekäntaväda (Non-Absolutism)
Understanding truth from various standpoints is Anekäntaväda. Considering our limited scope of arriving at complete truth, Jainism presents the theory that truth is relative to the viewpoint from which it is known. All knowledge is multi-sided and true only from a limited perspective. Once we acquire this attitude, we will always be tolerant of others' viewpoints and willing to learn from it. Accepting partial truth in each one-sided view we can lead a life of partnership and participation, a life of friendliness and harmony.
Aparigraha (Non-attachment/Non-possessiveness)
Possession of material things is external possession.
Attachment to material things as well as attachment to people is internal possession.
Both can lead to anger, ego, deceit and greed.
Hence, attachment is the cause of all our problems. The practice of non-attachment leads to equanimity in our lives, which is necessary for the liberation of our soul.
Karma Theory (Law of Cause & Effect)
The soul is like a magnet.
Karma is like iron particles.
Our Kashaya (anger, greed, deceit and ego) attract these karma particles to the soul which get bound to the soul.
Due to this continuous accumulation of Karma, the soul has to pass through the cycles of birth and death.
Our goal is to get rid of all previously attracted particles and stop attracting new particles like demagnetization.
We do this through knowledge, equanimity, tolerance, penance, self-control, forgiveness, repentance, reverence, compassion, service, meditation and renunciation.
Texts/Scriptures
The Jain scriptures called "Ägams" are based on the teachings of Mahävir-swämi. They are composed in Ardha-Mägadhi Präkrit language, the common language during the time of Mahävirswämi.
There are many other works by noted Ächäryas, Upädhyäys, Sädhus, Sädhvis, and scholars throughout history, which go into the details of every aspect of life.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 27 of 398