Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 15

JAINISM-A WAY OF LIFE
This year, in sixth grade in my social studies class. we were studying different religions in India, I was quite disappointed to see Jainism barely mentioned in the handout given to all the students. Just one paragraph, and that too not completely accurate! This encouraged me to compile this brief description to give it to my teacher. With her suggestion, I did a powerpoint presentation for our class and handed out this description for all her classes. I would encourage all of you to do the same.
JAINS
• Jains are the followers of JINAS. JINA means victors. JINAS are the victors of their inner enemies
INNER ENEMIES
Anger, Ego, Deceit, Greed
BEGINNING
Jains believe that Jainism has always been there. There is at least 5,000 years of documented history.
MAIN PRINCIPLES/ BELIEFS
Ahimsa (non-violence)
•Anekantvad (non-absolutism) •Aparigraha (non-attachment) CONCEPT OF GOD
⚫Jains do not believe in god as a creator, destroyer or preserver
•Every soul in its purest form is a god
•Every life form is equal and is able to become God
Ma: Neel, you are right. The thoughts and feelings that we have in a given instance make our good or bad karma. You can see that Rekha's bad karmas are not going to help her in the future. Alpa: Ma, I have heard that reciting some mantra can help us in
examinations.
Ma: We can learn to be calm by understanding the meanings of prayers and mantras. However, a blind faith in the effect of mantras, prayers and worship may give us a false sense of security. So we may not study properly and fail the examinations.
Alpa: What is this way of thinking and understanding called? Ma: Alpa, we can call it the rational way.
Neel: What is meant by rational?
Ma: Alpa, can you explain the meaning of the word 'rational'?
-By Nirav Shah (Age 11)
•The way to become a God is to rid of all karma: good & bad KARMA THEORY
The soul is like a magnet •Karma is like iron particles
•All our actions good or bad attract these particles to the soul ⚫Our ultimate goal is to get rid of all these particles (demagnetization)
•We do this through knowledge, service, equanimity, introspection, meditation, penance, practice tolerance & repentance. PROPHETS
The prophets in Jainism are called 'Tirthankars'.
•There are 24 Tirthankars in every time cycle
Jains follow the teachings of the latest Tirthankar Mahavir Swami (599BC 527BC)
(continued from Page 12)
Neel: Ma, in this case, Rekha will get more bad karma than Alpa: Rational means based on reason. We see the things around Amit. us, study and discuss them. Then we accept only the things that
appeal to our common sense. This is the rational way. Jainism teaches us to be rational. This is an important teaching of Jainism. Neel: Some people believe in miracles. They tend to believe in things written in religious books or taught by religious leaders. Sometimes people accept traditional things. Sometimes people copy others. Is it proper to accept and do anything without thinking? Ma: Believing in anything without giving it careful thought- not understanding things as one sees them, is delusion. Delusion is
the root cause of many problems in life. A rational outlook, free from delusion, is the key to happiness and peace.(Adopted from Studies in Jainism, published by Jain Study Circle, Flushing, NY)
TEXTS/SCRIPTURES
The main Jain scriptures are called "Agams" - 45 (36-according some) volumes on the teachings of Mahavir
⚫There are many other works by noted scholars throughout history, which goes into the detail of every aspect of life.
SUMMARY
"Any activity of thought, speech or action, that helps us get rid of our inner enemies (anger, ego, greed and deceit) is a Jain activity"
JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2001/13