Jain Philosophy and Religion Introduction

Author(s): Jain Centre of Southern California
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

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Jain Philosophy and Religion
Introduction
All actions are united by responsibility. Religion is an act of discovery, a way of rising to a standard of moral and spiritual excellence. Since very ancient times human beings have been rediscovering, practicing and passing on the moral culture of Jain religion and philosophy. This philosophy has come to making through the experience of human individuals who assumed mastery over destiny, witnessed the eternity of all existence and attained the most grand and permanent freedom - the subject of these reflections.
Here we will gradually see a teaching based on the example of ordinary mortals who found a way to overcome the inner causes of hatred, desire and destructive passion and who conquered the aggression, pride, deceit and greed which divert the living soul from a brilliant and self-contained spiritual identity. Free and independent, that true nature of the self is infinite happiness, unlimited knowledge, perfect self-control and unobstructed vision of all that exists, at all times. Jain philosophy is based on the idea that the highest goal in our existence is to reach this destination, by progressively gaining the strength of our own awareness through the power of pure conduct in our every faculty.
Jain religion is the path of the Jinas, or "conquerors". The Jina is also called Kevalin ("omniscient") and Arihant ("destroyer of [inner) enemies"), one who has overcome and defeated the flaws and weakness that stop us from realizing our infinite spiritual potential. A Jina is any person of this world who has subdued the senses, silenced the passions, eliminated every level of attachment and aversion, and thus attained absolute knowledge and peace.
The way of the Jinas bears witness to the fact that all living beings have the innate potential to be truly free - free from all ignorance, from debilitating thoughts and behaviors, from being controlled or swayed by the diversions of worldly existence. Countless past humans beings have discovered and traversed a "path" that culminates naturally in the soul's liberated state. It is a path of entirely human origin, shone forth by such individuals who boldly took responsibility for their spiritual destiny and achieved ultimate independence through their own will and discipline. Striving to be a living example of pure freedom equals the greatest charity one soul may bestow upon the world. A follower and believer in the example set forth by the Jinasis called Jain.
Jain faith speaks from heart that sees in every single organism the same fundamental hope for survival, safety, contentment, longevity, fulfillment, freedom and peace. This vision comes from a serious concern for the soul and its relationship with natural laws that condition our existence and our future state in eternity. The golden rule is Ahinsa, or nonviolence, in all aspects of a person - mental, verbal and physical. "Nonviolence" historically derives from the Jain faith which maintains that all souls, regardless the body and mind, are spiritually equal to each other, and the soul equivalent of oneself.
Nonviolence is the positive path to glory, a principle which when practiced has never failed to move those touched by it. We have the challenge of living it with regard to each and every creature in thought, word and deed. For humans, who possess the physical and mental capacities to both discern and choose right from wrong, the Jain path calls on us to act responsibly toward all life by living life with compassion, forgiveness, fearlessness and rationality.
Jain philosophy is not a protest or offshoot of another creed. Since early times its principles have successfully motived the leaders and followers of certain other faiths to embrace and represent many of its original ideas and ethics. Coming from the region of South Asia, the Jain transition dates before the beginning of Indo-European culture and is one of the oldest world religions.
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