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
2. Infinite power to know reality, omniscience 3. Infinite spiritual strength and will power 4. Infinite perception and vision 5. Inherent immunity to any sense of attraction or repulsion 6. Incompatibility with the processes of birth, death and rebirth 7. Having no material properties, nor any inherent physical proportions 8. Being neither superior nor inferior relative to any other souls.
Together, these pure soul attributes are the Jain concept of "God”. Jains worship and meditate upon these characteristics of the soul.
Jain worship or veneration for perfected souls is simply a profound respect for the most difficult human accomplishment. Wherever these great souls are in the universe, whenever born, they are solemnly appreciated. By honoring spiritual heroism, by meditating upon its attributes, the same qualities tend to become manifest in us. It's in the nature of life itself that our thoughts, speech and behavior absorb the character of that towards which we direct our consciousness.
In the Jain vision God is not man's keeper, absolver, intervener or judge, nor is God a person, power or anything else outside us. God ('Bhagavan') is simply a word to signify a certain state of our own existence.
PanchaParamesthi (Pañcaparamēşthi) - The five supreme spiritual people
1. Arihanta - Souls who have reached the state of non-attachment towards worldly. Also known as Jina or
Tirthankara (Tirthankara). Tirthankaras are the founders of the fourfold order (monks, nun, laymen and
laywomen). 2. Siddha - Liberated souls. 3. Acharya (Acārya)-Acharyas are our spiritual leaders. In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual excellence,
have the ability to lead the congregation of monks, nuns and laypeople. 4. Upadhyay (Upādhyāya) - This title is given to those who have acquired complete knowledge of the Jain scriptures
and philosophical system. They teach Jain scriptures to other ascetics and laypeople. 5. Sadhu (Sadhu) and Sadhvi (Sadhvi) - For spiritual uplift, when a person renounces worldly life and all worldly
attachments and become Sadhu (monk) or Sadhvi (nun). Their renunciation is total, which means they are completely detached from social and worldly activities. Instead they spend their time in spiritually uplifting their souls and guiding householders on how to uplift their souls.
Five Great Vows
At the time of initiation, Sadhu and Sadhvi take five major vows and live strictly in accordance with those vows. The five great vows are:
1. Vow of absolute Non-violence 2. Vow of absolute Truthfulness 3. Vow of absolute Non-stealing 4. Vow of absolute Celibacy 5. Vow of absolute Non-attachment
Jain Center of Southern California