Dr. Sulekh Chand Jain
Jainism, an ancient religion originating from India- along with Hinduism and Buddhism- is an integral part of India. The Jain tradition, which enthroned the philosophy of ecological harmony and non-violence as its lodestar, flourished for centuries side-by-side with other schools of thought in ancient India. It formed a vital part of the mainstream of ancient Indian life, contributing greatly to its philosophical, artistic and political heritage. During certain periods of Indian history, many ruling elites as well as large sections of the population were Jains.
Although the eight to ten million Jains estimated to live in modern India, constituting a tiny fraction of its population, the message and motifs of the Jain perspective, its unconditional reverence for life in all forms, and its commitment to the progress of human civilization and to the preservation of the natural environment, continue to have a profound and pervasive influence on Indian life and its outlook. Jainism, with its distinctive views on matters such as non-violence and intellectual relativity, has relevance to the life and thought of not only of this century but also for many centuries to come. Jainism has succeeded in maintaining its identity and integrity as a separate system in the midst of preponderant Hinduism. Jainism is a complete system with all necessary branches such as ontology, metaphysics, philosophy, epistemology, ethics, and rituals. It has its own scriptures, temples (architecturally, some of the most beautiful temples in India are the Jain temples) and deities, places of worship and pilgrimage, and its own festivals and fairs. The organized religious group (Sangha) consists of ascetics and householders of both genders.
Jainism was not founded by any one individual. It is a philosophy, which developed over a long period of time and then acquired its own distinctive status within the broad Indian system. Its last spiritual propounder, Lord Mahavira, was a contemporary of Lord Buddha and more than 2500 years ago he lived in the same Indian state of modern Bihar, as did Lord Buddha. Lord Mahavira’s teachings exerted a very strong influence on Indian thought and way of life.(source, Late Dr. L. M Singhvi).
It is worth mentioning here that in the year 2001, Jains the world over celebrated the 2600th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira (he was the 24thTirthankar. The 23rd, Lord Parshavanatha, was 250 years before him and the 22nd, Lord Neminatha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna of the Hindus, was at least two thousand years before the 23rdTirthankar).
The Sanskrit word "Jain" means the followers of Jinas - those who conquered their selves by conquering their own inner enemies and passions of anger, greed, ego, deceit, attachment, aversion, hatred…and attained complete perfection and omniscience. Jainism is well known in India, but because of its non-proselytizing (noncoversio) nature, it is relatively much less known outside India although its principles of non- violence and intellectual relativity are quite well recognized. In the twentieth century, the most vibrant and illustrious example of Jain influence was that of Mahatma Gandhi, acclaimed as the Father of the Indian Nation. Gandhi’s spiritual mentor and friend, Shrimad Rajchandra, was a Jain. The two great men corresponded, until Rajchandra’s death, on issues of faith and ethics. The central Jain teaching of ahimsa (non-violence) was the guiding principle of Gandhi’s civil disobedience in the cause of freedom and social equality. His ecological philosophy found apt expression in his observation that the greatest work of humanity could not match the smallest wonder of nature. The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself.
To that end:
- Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion.
- Jains are vegetarians and live in a way that minimizes their use of the world’s resources.
- Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation - which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives forever in a state of bliss.
- Liberation is achieved by eliminating all karmas from the soul.
- Jainism is a religion of self-help.
- There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings.
- The three guiding principles of Jainism, also known as the “three jewels,” include right/rational belief, right/ rational knowledge and right/rational conduct.
- The supreme principle of Jainway of living is non-violence (ahimsa).
- Ahimsa is one of the five mahavratas (the five great vows). The other mahavratas are non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, and sexual restraint
(with celibacy as the ideal).
- Jains understand that 2600 years ago, Lord Mahavira gave Jainism its present-day form.
- The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas.
- Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning “sky clad”) sect and the Shvetambara (meaning “white clad”) sect. This distinction refers to the clothing of the sadhus; no clothes or white clothes respectively.
- Jainism has no pujaris or purohits. Its spiritual and religious people are monks and nuns, who lead strict and ascetic lives.
Source: BBC web site.
Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the central part of Jainism. Ahimsa means the absence of the desire to injure or kill and a disinclination to do harm. It also means both mental and physical concern for the welfare of others; humans and non-humans.
In the following pages we will describe the relationship between Ahimsa and Jainism and its unique foundation.
