Important book of jainism

In jainism, knowledge regarding the universe and salvation is very important because it maintains that salvation of the soul depends on understanding its predicament. The book goes into depth of the history of this non violent nature, and where jainism originates from. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. Mahavira was the 24th and last of the tirthankaras. The oldest canonical books of jainism, apart from some mythological additions and evident exaggerations, contain the following important notes on the life of their last prophet. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. The founder of jainism is thought to be a man called mahavira. Jainism, also known as jain dharma, is a very old indian religion. It forms part of the book on the indian sect of the jainas. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain. As seen in the above example from stephanie kaza, an important impetus for. This page provides information about important jain texts. Followers of jainism are called jains and must observe five major vows.

Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. Can be translated as crossing makers or ford finders. He is often considered to be one of the most important figures in jainism, as he reformed and worked throughout his life to spread the religion around the world. It is a movement, like buddhism, that rejects the caste system.

The author chose 1991 to write, to bring jainism back into the world, and shed some light on the overlooked religion. This book provides an orderly and clear exposition of jainism as a philosophy and way of life, jain history, and the jains as a people. History of jainism is the history of a religion founded in ancient india. Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Why does stryver continually criticize and belittle sydney carton for his social. Jainism did not recognize the authenticity of the vedas and opposed vedas. It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived and maintained and practiced their religion. Selfcontrol and nonviolence are taught as the means to obtain liberation from the worlds suffering. Gommatsara is one of the most important jain texts authored by acharya. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. It also emerged around the same time as buddhism and was founded by vardhamana mahavira. Both the mahavira and the buddha felt that only those who left their homes could gain true knowledge.

They arranged for them to stay together in the sangha, an association of those who left their homes. Jainism also known as jaina dharma is a religion originating in india that emphasizes nonviolence towards all living things and equality among all life. It is also helpful for a beginner of jainism as it touches important aspects of jainism in an easy manner. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Mahavira 599527 bce is perhaps the most important figure of jainism.

Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. The origins of jainism can be traced back to the indus river valley civilization of 3000 b. In addition, the book describes how this nonviolent nature shapes the history of the world, and other religions. Jainism and sikhism are often misunderstood religions common to india. Thus in a way in the indian cultural field the most important contribution of jainism is the concept of. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism.

It briefly covers various aspects of jain philosophy, ethics, conduct, scriptures, religious holidays, prayers, symbols, and the life of lord mahavir. Jainism believes in existence of spirit among every living matter hence it encouraged vegetarianism and abandonment of animal sacrifice. And the souls predicament is based in the makeup of the universe, which is composed of both eternal souls and infinite particles of matter. Jainism has given special emphasis on tenacity and nonviolence. Michael tobias has described nonviolanceahimsa in great details. Among them are many of indias most prominent industrialists and bankers as well as several important political leaders. Svetambara jains celebrate this festival for eightdays while digambara jains celebrate it for ten days. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Sep 11, 2009 this is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains.

I have edited the text suitably to represent their current status. The most enjoyable parts of the book were its discussions of jainist ethics and the nature of the life force. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains. The world of jainism that serves as a written companion to the film, and he contributed the chapter on jainism to mary evelyn tucker and john grims worldviews and ecology. The sacred book both in amritsar and in sikh temples is treated with. One of the most important festivals for jains is the paryushana parva. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. On the grounds of peace and nonviolence jainism has immense contributions. Both jainism and sikhism have arisen as alternatives to hinduism within india. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b.

Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly. Several jain temples give this book to all their visitors. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Although jainism was an integral part of south indian culture and digambara monks played an important role in the early promulgation of literature in languages like tamil and kannada, the religion gradually lost its access to political power, and from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries vigorous antijain s aiva movements supplanted it in. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Although similar in beliefs, there are very surprising differences between the two religions.

Ahimsa paramo dharmah noninjury is the highest religion. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. However, in buddhism there is what is known as the three baskets in sanskrit tripitika which consists of the vinayabasket the monastic precepts, regulations, and stories related to the establishment of the sang. The word jainism comes from the root word ji which means to conquer. The important treatise of jainism is written in kalpasutra sanskrit. Jainism s most important idea is that people should never be violent in what they think, do or say. The rules made for the buddhist sangha were written down in a book called the vinaya pitaka. Important days in the jain calendar are called parvan, and on these days religious observances, such as structured periods of fasting and festivals, take place. Jainism offers a quiet, overwhelmingly serious way of life, a cultural insistence on compassion, a society of ethics that has dramatically changed the world and will continue to effect change. Vardhamana was the younger son of siddhartha a nobleman who belonged to the kshatriya race, called in sanskrit jnati or jnata, in prakrit naya, and, according to. Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the. It is an important part of jain spirituality and the village near patna, where mahavira died is a great spiritual center. Jainism crossed india from south india at about eighth century b.

Jainism for kids jainism explained for children world. Oct 17, 2010 the holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor referring to the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths by destroying karma through an ethical and spiritual life. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Jainism and buddhism have been foremost in upholding the doctrine of ahimsa and jainism has held firm to its original ideology more closely than that of buddhism. Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god. He was born ion india to the warrior caste but he left home as a young man to become a monk. He is the last crossing maker of the present declining era.

Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. The universe is not for man alone, but is a theater of evolution for all living beings. The principal jain festivals can generally be connected with the five major events in the life of each tirthankara. Definitely worth reading, especially if you revere nature and are dubious about monotheistic religions. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. Sep 03, 2007 jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. First, as various authors in this book will point out, the telos or goal of jainism. Jainisms most important idea is that people should never be violent in. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Jains believe that in the present cycle of the universe, 24 great people have reached perfection. Jainism is one of the oldest religions known today and its origins lie in the country of india.

A selected list of books on jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices. Of the two major divisions of jainism, the digambaras believe all their original scriptures going back to the time of mahavira, their founder in the present era. Despite these similarities, jainism and sikhism are different in their emphasis. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism. After mahaviras death, jain sanghs first president was sudharman. As molloy highlights, they both share a belief in karma with hinduism, but both reject the polytheistic and ritualistic elements of hinduism. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. He was born as a prince in 599 bce, however at age 28, he gave up everything he possessed, in order to gain spiritual awakening. Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. This is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains. The indian religion is thought to have started way back in the 6th century bc. Buhler presented his opinions treating jainism and buddhism as sects rather than religions and referred to hinduism as brahmanism. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking.

Two jain sacred texts, the akaranga and kalpa sutras. The jains also have many important festivals and ceremonies that take place. The caste system, which primitive jainism had rejected, also became part of later jaina doctrine. Jainism is an ecologically responsible way of life which is nonviolent in thought, action, and deed. In this time period two major sects, namely digambar and swetambar, were already. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Jain literature is classified into two major categories. He also wrote samhita, a book dealing with legal cases. I was surprised to discover that jainism dates from the time of the buddha, and has such a large following today. Theologians often classify jainism as a philosophy, a way of living life, rather than a religion.