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Jainism. By: Lauren Kratz and Karley Andrus. The beginning . Orginated in India in the 6 th century B.C. Founder: Vardhamana , a.k.a. Mahavira (The Great Hero) Comtemporary Buddha Renounced his family at age 30 to lead a religious life Gave away all his possessions
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Jainism By: Lauren Kratz and Karley Andrus
The beginning • Orginated in India in the 6th century B.C. • Founder: Vardhamana, a.k.a. Mahavira (The Great Hero) • Comtemporary Buddha • Renounced his family at age 30 to lead a religious life • Gave away all his possessions • After 12 yrs. he achieved enlightenment/perfection (Kevala) • Became known as a Conqueror (Jina)
Location • Originated in India • Ganges Valley • Famine forced them to leave the area • Went to Deccan • Caused division • Divided into two major sects • Shvetambaras stayed in original location • Digambaras moved south • In the division sacred texts were lost • The reconstructed texts between the two major sects differ slightly • Mainly found in India today • Around three million practicing
Seven Dimensions of Religion • Experiential • Kevala – the perfect and complete knowledge that is Jain enlightenment • Karma no longer affects the soul • Mythic • Biography of Mahavira • Founder • Stories of religious foundation and spiritual heroes, such as Parshva • Doctrinal • Description of universe (Loka) and of the various life-forms (Jiva) • Ritual • Daily repentance with teacher • Meditation • Fasting
Seven Dimensions, cont’d • Ethical • Practice of non-violence (Ahimsa) and related virtues. • Five Great vows • Do not injure other life-forms • Avoid lying • Do not take what has not been given • Renounce sexual activity • Renounce possessions • Social • Division into sects • Shvetambaras and Digambaras • Division of religious life • Laity and ascetics (nuns and monks) • Material • Whisks – used to sweep away insects from the ground • Statues of spiritual heroes (Tirthankaras)
The Universe (Loka) • Space that is indescribably vast and eternal • Anything outside is nothing but strong winds • Center • Middle Realm • Includes several worlds • Below – hell • Above – heaven • Top Realm • Perfect souls, spiritual heroes • Eternally freed, never reborn • Inhabited by Souls (Jiva) and nonliving (Ajiva) • Nonliving = impure, weighs down Souls living in Middle Realm
Sources • Gale and Thomson. New Catholic Encylopedia. Ed. Bernard L. Marthaler, Gregory F. LaNave, Jonathan Y. Tan, and Richard E. MacCrron. Second ed. Washington D.C,: Thomson and Gale, n.d. Print.