The Jain 1988 07

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Samaj Europe

Page 86

science takes its roots in the terminology from the Greeks. To specialize in a small area of science, one works towards research degrees after many years of labour but it is amazing that one expects to understand the technical basis of Jainism at a stroke. Jains should come
Questions Answers
&
on Jainism
by Paul Marett
Although jainism is an ancient and respected religion, it is little known in Europe. Here are answers to some questions which may be asked by the westerner on first coming into contact with the Jains.
1. Who was the founder of Jainism?
Jains believe that their religion is extremely ancient. The Lord Mahavira, who died in 527 BC, was the last of a long series of prophets (tirthankara). He followed an existing religion, which Jains believe was established by Rishabhdev, who lived countless centuries before.
2. Is there any one principle above all which characterises Jainism?
Yes. The fundamental principle of Jainism is Ahimsa or non-violence towards all living things however insignificant to our eyes. To a true Jain, violence in thought and speech is as bad as physical violence.
3. Surely this (ahimsa) is impossible to achieve? That is not true. Jains recognise that in everyday life for the ordinary person it is almost impossible to avoid all harm to other beings. But every attempt is made to avoid harm and this is obligatory (even at the cost of their own life) on monks and nuns who are not caught up in the business of ordinary life.
4. Does that mean that a Jain will defend himself from violent attack?
If unavoidable a layman (shravaka) may. Violence is bad because of its effect on the victim, but particularly bad for the passions it creates in the perpetrator. But as far as monks and nuns are concerned even self-defence is totally forbidden.
THE
Jain__
forward with a gradual scheme of learning through a Centre such as the one in Leicester.
by Professor K.V. Mardia Head, Department of Statistics University of Leeds
5. Do Jains believe in God?
Not is the sense of a creator or judge or controller of universe. The universe is always existing, controlled by its own laws. Every individual soul is potentially god and this is the state of the Soul, which has reached moksha or liberation. (Incidentally Jains do believe that there are heavens beyond this world inhabited by celestial being, who are however not eternal but may be reborn as humans or other creatures in due course.)
6. So Jains believe in reincarnation? Most definitely. Every soul passes through countless lives carrying with it the accumulated effects ('Karma') of its deeds and passions, good and bad.
7. But the soul, you say, can become godlike in time?
A soul, born into human life, may become aware of the true aim of existence and may, by meditation and austerity, conquer the passions, purge itself of the accumulated karma, and achieve a total knowledge of the whole nature of the universe and eventually may attain moksha (or nirvana).
8. What is karma?
All phenomena are said to be linked together in a universal chain of cause and effect. Every event has a definite cause behind it. By nature each soul is pure, possessing infinite knowledge, bliss and power. But these faculties are restricted from time immemorial by foreign matter coming in contact with the soul. This foreign matter is karma. The effects of both good and bad deeds are attached to the soul and are caused forward through subsequent rebirths. When the soul frees itself from all karma, good and bad, it reaches moksha. 9. Can you describe moksha?
Not really, for it is absolutely beyond all human sense experience, a condition of infinite bliss and complete knowledge. The liberated souls live in a timeless totality, yet retaining their individuality in a state which human comprehension cannot
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