Jain Catholic Dialogue 20150524

Author(s): Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington
Publisher: Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington

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Learn more about Jainism
Jainism is an ancient religion of India that teaches a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through a disciplined mode of life founded upon the tradition of nonviolence to all living creatures. Practitioners believe that nonviolence and selfcontrol are the means by which they can obtain liberation. The three main principles of Jainism are Non-violence (Ahimsa), Non-Absolutism (Anekantavada) and Non-Possessiveness (Aparigraha). Followers of Jainism take 5 major vows: non-violence, non-lying, non-stealing, chastity, and non-attachment. Asceticism is thus a major focus of the Jain faith.
Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Jains traditionally trace their history through a succession of twenty-four propagators of their faith known as Tirthankaras with Rishabhdev as the first and Mahavira as the last of the current era. Although traditionally dated to 599–527 BCE, Mahavira is regarded as a close contemporary of the Buddha. Beginning in the 7th-5th century BCE, Jainism evolved into a cultural system that has made significant contributions to Indian philosophy and logic, art and architecture, mathematics, astronomy and astrology, and literature.
Jainism has more than 7 million followers worldwide with a majority residing in India. There are smaller immigrant communities mainly in the United States, Kenya, United Kingdom and Canada.
Three Gems
Jainism preaches that the following three ratna (gems) of Jainism lay down the path to become God or Siddha.
Right View (Samyak Darshan) - Belief in substances ascertained as they are
Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra) - Application of the developed right knowledge
Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan) - To ascertain the true nature of reality