YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 73

Comparison: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Common beliefs of Hindu Culture (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism):
Liberation (Moksha) or perfection is the goal of Life
Liberation is attained through Self Realization, Meditation (Individual experience)
Freedom to Choose God(s)/no-God
Philosophy of Karma
-pleasure and pain, gain and loss, are all results of your past deeds -Provides opportunity for moral progress and eventual perfection - Secret of work is renunciation - nonattachment and unselfish work Continuity of Life (Reincarnation)
All living beings go through a long cycle of birth, death, and rebirth Universe is infinite, eternal (no beginning nor end), moving in cycles Hell and Heaven are transient
Symbols: OM, Swastika, Lotus
Social Rituals: Birth, Marriage, and Death
Two systems of philosophy developed under Hindu culture:
Brahman system (known as Hinduism) Sraman system (Buddhism and Jainism)
Brahman System (popularly known as Hinduism)
God - Creator, Preserver, Destroyer (Cyclic) God is universe and universe is God (synonomous)
At liberation, soul merges with God (soul becomes infinity) Scriptures have certain authority (Vedas)
Vedas, Upanishads, Geeta, Brahma Sutra Scriptures are in Sanskrit
Highly Ritualistic (elaborate and fancy) Animal sacrifice in the past
Primary Paths:
Path of Devotion or Surrender (Bhakti Yoga): Enjoyment of Supreme Love and bliss
Path of Knowledge (Jnan Yoga):
Realization of unique and supreme self
Path of Action (Karma Yoga):
Dedication of every human activity to supreme
will
Path of Self Control/Meditation (Raj Yoga):
Liberation through the perfection of body, thought, emotion and consciousness
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