However, the holy books in hinduism are the basis on which we have evolved our culture and way of. This is probably because it is easier to do these other faithbased actions rather than follow the strict rules of jainism. This book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Apr 20, 2019 jainism was founded by mahavira in eastern india between 7 th5 th century bc. Guru granth sahib, the holy book of sikhs introduction like the bible of christianity, the vedas of hinduism or the koran of islam, the guru granth sahib, also known as the adi granth, is the main scripture of sikhism. The 10th guru, gobind singh, declared that he would have no living successor, and this collection of teachings would become the ultimate guru for the sikh. By birth, im jainand trying to be jain by actand i appreciate many historical perspective on jainism. 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.
Engraved on a tablet in heaven, the quran has existed from the beginning of time and was revealed to mohammad himself through the angel jibreel gabriel. Today islam is the worlds fastest growing religion. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. This is the result of the cultural influence of other indian religions on the jain community. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago. 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.
Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Any soul that has conquered its inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina conqueror or victor. Mahavira jayanti, paryushana and diwali are the major festivals of the jain population. The primary holy book of the jewish faith is known as the torah, which comprises the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers and deuteronomy. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. The religious scriptures are not followed word to word.
Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practised in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. You surely know that the nineteenth century christianity is not the religion taught by christ. The sunnis are followers of the political successors of mohammed. Jains believe that mahavira was the 24th saint and that twenty three saints had passed away before him. Jains dont worship to please gods, or in the hope of getting something from gods in return. Sep 14, 2009 jainism teaches that we can attain true peace and happiness only through behaving and thinking rightly.
Some holy books of jainism are agamas, which contain the teachings of mahavira. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Some religious jains will follow what mahavira did and fast for diwalis two days. The religious leaders of jainism are monks and nuns. The ultimate goal of jains is to rid the soul of all karmas and attain liberation.
Religion, their founders, holy books and place of worship. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore knowledge of the religion was never documented. In islam, worship is the very purpose of our existence. Also, as mentioned in the book, jainism is scientific religion covering physics, math and other subjects. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The place of worship for jains and hindus are commonly known as the temple. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. To celebrate diwali parents give candy to their children and all over india there are lamps lit. This is because most lay jains focus their daily life on temple worship and spiritual activities, rather than following the jain vows. Throughout its history, many of the key figures within the religion have taught different philosophies and wrote a numerous amount of holy books. Main sects are digambaras stark naked and the swetambaras clothed in white. Dundas looks at jainism in its social and doctrinal context, explaining its history, sects, scriptures and ritual, and describing how the jains have, over 2500 years, defined themselves as a unique religious community. This festival honors the 15th century reformer lonka saha who founded the sthanakvasi sect of jains, opposed to temple worship and the use of idols of any sort. Jains believe that mahavira was the 24th saint and that twenty.
But nevertheless, jains do worship at a superficial level jain temple worship seems to contain elements similar to worship in hindu temples. Jain religion nischaya dharma purity of soul which results from the above action dirt of karma disappears. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. Jain temples are filled with images of these twenty four saints called tirthankaras, who are the object of worship by the followers. Originally, the religion relied on the teaching of living gurus. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Muslims worship god, the creator and sustainer of the universe, out of love and submission. Jainism is an ancient indian religion prescribing a path of nonviolence for all forms of living beings in this world. Holy book and place of worship of sikhism,jainism, buddhism.
Presently jainism is still very influential in india. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and m. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. List of world religions and founders, religious books. The arhant heritage jainism shraman culture is confirmed by the writings in srimad bhagwad, padmapuran, vishnupuran, skandapuran and shivpuran, naradpuran, manusmriti and other religious book. In olden times, monks strictly followed the five great vows of jainism. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place. Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. Christianity is the worlds biggest religion, with about 2. Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests. For example, all three traditions share a notion of karma as the actions of individuals that determine their future births, yet each has attached unique connotations to the. 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 religion of jains included women in their fourfold sangha.
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. Religions in india buddhism, christianity, hinduism, islam. This religions holy text is referred to as agam literature or sutras and is a collection of many different written works. The jain dharma existed even before the emergence of the vedas and the puranas which are said to be ancient. Jainism is a very small religion in india, with very few followers, but it has a massive influence larger than their side. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jainism is practiced throughout the world, with large complexes like the jain center of greater phoenix in the united states and the jain center of leicester in the u. The existing agam sutras are accepted as the authentic preaching of lord mahavir by the swetambar sects, but the digambar sect does not accept them as authentic. It also explains some of the major holy days and celebrations of jainism. Jainism is a religious offshoot to hinduism, originating from the indian subcontinent.
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. First tirthankara is rishabha mentioned in the yajurveda and mahavira is 24th tirthankara. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Jains do not believe in a god and that a god is not necessary to power the universe. Feb 21, 2020 judaism is the worlds oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith.
It is based on the principles of nonpossessiveness, nonviolence and nonabsolutism. Temples, gods, rituals, fasts and other religious components of jainism are different from those of hinduism. Why jainism is the worlds most peaceful religion youtube. The kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion.
Apr 24, 2007 holy book and place of worship of sikhism,jainism, buddhism. It can be compared conceptually and historically with the other indian religions such as jainism, buddhism and sikhism bbc. 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 is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Jainism is one of the three major religions to emerge from india. Oct 18, 2010 the place of worship for jainism is called the deresar. Diwali has a special significance in jainism because on this day mahavira achieved deliverance and gave his last teaching. Dec 11, 2014 the holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Jain temples range from the immense and elaborate to the very plainest of worship rooms.
The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. He explores asceticism, worship, the life of the jain layperson, relations between jainism and other indic traditions, the jain philosophy of relativity, and the implications of jain ideals for the contemporary world. God declares in the quran, the holy book of islam, i did not create mankind except to worship me 51. Oct 17, 2010 the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. All religions worthy of the name are now making great efforts to purify their doctrines and return to their original standpoint, all except christianity. Followers of judaism believe in one god who revealed himself through ancient prophets. Jainism is revered for its commitment to nonviolence and respect for the natural world. In these books there are lucid descriptions on the birth of jainism. Jains believe that souls are under the influence of their karmas actions, both past and present. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. It was created 32 years before buddhism, and some say its a sect in hinduism, but others consider it a separate religion.
It is the sacred book of islam explained as the religion of abraham. The jains worship many hindu gods and also their own saints. The worship in jain religion the jains worship many hindu gods and also their own saints. Sep 14, 2009 jains make offerings to the images as part of their worship. They also believe the quality of someones life is based on karma. This is great book not only for spiritual reading but. Religion continued jain morality vyavahara dharma conduct in accordance with the rules prescribed by arihants and accompanied always by compassion, love, sympathy etc. Unlike christianity or islam, it is a not a religion that is governed by the book. On this day, fasting, meditation, atonement, worship of the holy books, and holy recitation take place.
There was a disagreement between early hinduism, and ascetic movements such as jainism with the scriptural access to women. By observing certain rules and methods mentioned in the agams holy books of jainism, bad karmas can be extinguished. The dharm religion the mangals four auspicious entities the lokottams four supreme entities many jains worship at temple everyday, while others do so much less frequently. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jainism was founded by vardhamana mahavira who was born in kundagrama bihar. To lay jains temple worship is more important compared nuns and monks.
Lal mandir is a jain temple in delhi, india, dating back to 1658 that is still used for worship. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of the religion as it is practiced today. The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. Buddhism, hinduism, confucianism, and jainism religions. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments. Jainism and hinduism are two ancient indian religions. The indian religion of jainism, whose central tenet involves nonviolence to all creatures, is one of the worlds oldest and leastunderstood faiths. He has also tried to depict differences between jainism and baudhdhism, where applicable. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. There are some similarities and differences between the two religions. Jewish worship is done everywhere however their buildings of religion are known as synagogues. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina.