Jain cosmology has several distinguishing features that mark it out from other indian notions of the universe, time and the human place within it. The tirthas of jainism are spread all over india and have been divided into two classes. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. Second, there are two kinds of space within the jain universe world space and nonworld space. Because of their belief in the need to overcome attachment, it is a central tenet of each of jainism s denominations that women must be reincarnated as men or transmigrate into male bodies in order to experience spiritual liberation and get off the wheel of rebirth.
A searching comparison of the faiths of east and west hinduism, jainism, buddhism, vedantism, yoga, taoism, confucianism, shintoism, judaism, christianity, islam, humanism by bahm, archie j. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. Birthed jainism, buddhism and sikhism derived from name applied by foreigners to people living in indus river region. Brahmacharya is one of the five major vows prescribed for the sravaka layman and ascetics in jainism. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. This oldest wisdom of mankind is being made available in all the languages for the benefit of humanity with movements like mission 24l. Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the jain scriptures should no longer be in danger. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. They renounce possessions, relationships, emotions and desire.
The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. For lay jains who are unmarried, chaste living requires jains to avoid sex before marriage. He flourished about 250 years after the death of parsva. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity, islam.
Ncert texts are a must read for every upsc aspirant and are available for free download from ncert. 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. Find holy book stock images in hd and millions of other royaltyfree stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the shutterstock collection. 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 word sruti comes from a sanskrit root meaning to hear, as it was believed that ancient seers heard or perceived these texts by direct revelation from a higher power. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore. Those places where the tirthankaras and other holy persons have attained nirvana are called siddhakshetra. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. These are said to be based on the discourse of the tirthankara, delivered in a samavasarana divine. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes.
Also the religious books and scriptures were considered possessions and attachments for. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. The first sacred books of the jaina are in prakrit or ardhamagdhi language. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email. Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time. Honest, compassionate, and idealistic to the greatest degree, jainism is at the same time the most practical and down to earth code of behavior imaginable.
The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. For jainism worship is a means to personal spiritual and karmic development, it is not actually worship for exultation or devotion to any particular entity. First, lets distinguish between two types of hindu literature. At the time of his birth, the whole town marked prosperity in term of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. Jainism worship the motive and purpose of jain worship is very different from worship in many other religions in fact it would seem that jain principles make worship both unnecessary and futile. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma.
Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. Collectively these texts are called jain canonical or agam literature. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism are stories and epic poems. The kalpa sutra recalls the birth, life, and journey toward nirvana of. Next, repetition and symmetry are crucial elements to the patterns of the. The vedas and these other works are further divided into two sections. Jainism is an ancient religion that is rooted in the philosophy that teaches the way to liberation and a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence to all living creatures. In this article, we will be dealing with the important points filtered out from ncert school text for standard 6 history.
Hinduism table of contents religions of the world and. Buddhism is a religion known for its rich spiritual teachings, beliefs, practices and traditions. The majority of the vedas are considered the shruti, which is translated to that which is hard. Many jains worship at temple everyday, while others do so much less frequently. It was founded as a reaction against the vedic religion, which required animal sacrifices. Jainisms core belief is ahimsa, or noninjury to all living things. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. He was born in kundagrama a suburb of vaisali modern muzaffarpur district in bihar in 599 b.
The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. The jaina agamas or scriptures are the works of the immediate disciples of mahavira. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking.
The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. He was born into a royal family in what is now bihar, india. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Jainism vardhamana mahavira ancient indian history notes for upsc vardhana mahavira was the 24th tirthankara a great teacher and is said to have propounded jainism. The videvat are religious law books laying down codes of conduct and procedures for penance. Sep 11, 2009 the highest ideals of classical or traditional jainism are represented by the ascetics the members of the faith who devote their whole lives to living the jain code of ethics in its strictest.
They were given their written form in the 5th century at vallabhi, in gujarat. Translated by various sanskrit scholars set in 30 volumes in 38 parts sanskrit is fun part ii. Jainism s core belief is ahimsa, or noninjury to all living things. The holy text of the zoroastrians is the avesta, composed in a language belonging to the early iranaian group of languages and resembling the language of the vedas. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. For lay jains who are married, the virtue of brahmacarya requires remaining sexually faithful to ones chosen partner. Almost every upsc topper has repeated the importance of reading ncert school texts.
These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. The highest ideals of classical or traditional jainism are represented by the ascetics the members of the faith who devote their whole lives. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. In 300 words jainism is the philosophy and religion of jainas the followers of religion preached and practised by the thirthankaras, the last of whom was lord mahavir.
The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. It has been over 2500 years since buddhism emerged as a religion, and the unique holistic spiritual healing it gives has seen it. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be divinely inspired, and thus infallible and authoritative. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. Mahavira 540 bce468 bce, also known as vardhamana, was the twentyfourth and last tirthankara of jainism.
Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. His father siddhartha was the head of a kshatriyadan. Approximately how many adherents does the textbook claim jainism has. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Jainworld is a nonprofit taxexempt membership and donationsupported organization dedicated to jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. It has been over 2500 years since buddhism emerged as a religion, and the unique holistic spiritual healing it gives has seen it getting popular in many other parts of the world. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. These are texts which help to build the fundamentals. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures.
Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. List of books and articles about jainism online research. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. The most popular category of hindu holy booksmostly utilized and revered by the masses or laitywould be the. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jain theism concept of god in jainism harvard university. World religions study guide midterm flashcards quizlet. The motive and purpose of jain worship is very different from worship in many other religions in fact it would seem that jain. Jains worship in temples which contain images of the 24 tirthankaras. The word canon for the jain holy writings is increasingly felt to be inadequate, for it implies an unchanging body of texts sanctioned by a central authority.
This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Jains commonly use the words siddhanta and agama, which are panindian terms. Jains believe that jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of jain cosmology. Hinduism table of contents center for the study of world religions harvard divinity school religions of the world and ecology series hinduism and ecology volume mary evelyn tucker and christopher key chapple, eds. For those jains who adopt the path of monks, celibacy in action, words and thoughts is expected. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. Jains believe their religion is eternal and hold that it was revealed in stages by a number. Vardhamana mahavira vardhaman mahavira was the 24th and last tirthankara of jainism. Part 1 topics include shree simandhar bhagwan, saat tattva sambandhi bhul, lakshan ane lakshanabash, panchma gunustanvarti shravak ni 11 pratimao, sukh shu che, panch bhavo, char abhav, panch pandavo, bhavna batrisi. Jainism itself seems to be a rare jewel of a philosophy that mertis much thought and consideration. Jains believe their religion is eternal and hold that it was revealed in stages by a number of conquerors, of whom mahavira was the 24th. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata.
Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. The highest ideals of classical or traditional jainism are represented by the ascetics the members of the faith who devote their whole lives to living the jain code of ethics in its strictest forms. The daily prayerbook the parsis use everyday is khordeh avesta the smaller avesta. The tenets of jainism and facts about mahavira are important for ias exam as it makes significant part of indian ancient history and indian culture.
1367 414 647 627 188 175 529 547 617 506 1202 1532 970 191 80 129 738 828 360 1036 430 370 1435 874 721 1259 857 1052 1066