About Jainism
Jainism is a philosophy that shares its principal value with each and every living being everywhere in the world: the value of LIFE itself. It is a testament of love and respect for all creatures which relies on nothing mythological or mystical, but reveals a crossing over life’s ocean to the truth ofa vast universe, to the reality of oneself.
Jainism teaches that every single living thing is an eternal soul which is responsible for its own actions. All souls are spiritually equal, without exception. Faith is about thinking and acting in ways that respect and honor the spiritual nature ofevery single life, to the very best of our human abilities – starting with me.
Jainism is a universal faith and way of life having ancient roots. Its diverse practitioners are known as Jains. A “Jain” reveres the spiritual accomplishment, and example, set by the Jinas – “Victors”, or “Conquerors” – human beings who realized eternal peace and happiness by fighting and overcoming the inner causes of anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment and aversion. Through relentless effort, self-control, courage and compassion, a Jina is any soul who undoes the shackles that normally bind us to things other than life’s permanent essence – the focus of Jainism. Both universal and personal, Jain art and ideology speak of life’s infinite potential and the way to its realization. Jain faith speaks from a heart that sees in every single organism thc same fundamental hopcs for survival, safety, contentment, longevity, fulfillment, freedom and peace.
Jainism is not a protest, offshoot or sect ofanother creed. Jains work and thrive all over the earth including North America, Europe, Africa, East Asia, the Middle East and South Asia where the faith began, deep within the labyrinth of man’s prehistory. Jains were once known as Nirgranthas, the “undoers of attachments”. Jain tradition dates from before the spread of Indo-European culture. Among other sources of evidence, artifacts from the Indus Civilization (c. 3500-1700 BCE) preserve Jainism’s sacred expressions and likely represent a stage in its continuing advancement.
Since early times, Jain principles have successfully motivated the leaders and not exist. Ethics is houndless and applies to all creatures collectively and individually. Today, there are about 10 million Jains around the world. Their population was much larger in pre-modem times. There is a growing Jain population in North America and the United Kingdom. In these regions, more than 60 Jain centres, some with temples, have been established. Jains all over the world celebrated the year of 200 I as the 2600th birth anniversary ofLord Mahavira.
Symbolism
In Jain tradition, the svastika is a venerated emblem. Its significance is spiritual and has nothingto do with race, pride or politics. The emblem is a synopsis of the philosophy it represents. The polygon symbolizes the universe. An ancient Jain svastika glorifies four innate qualities of the soul: Infinite Knowledge, Perception, Bliss and Will Power. It also signifies the four worldly states: human, angelic, hell-being, and the category tiryaneha (which includes animals, plants and microorganisms). Three points stand for Right Worldview, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct, which together arc the path to final
liberation. The lone point is a liberated, pure soul (Siddha). An upright palm admonishes man to stop sinning. The wheel contains the word AHlNSA, nonviolence. The Sanskrit edict beneath the polygon comes from the scripture Tattvartha Sutra 5:21 , declaring, “Souls support one another. ”
This write-up has been adapted from the book
“Pure Freedom: The Jain Way of Self-reliance”
by Amar Salgia © 2002. All rights reserved.
IN RECOGNITION OF OHIO'S BICENTENNIAL IN 2003, the Religious Experience Advisory Council of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission was established to commemorate and celebrate the state's diversity of religions and faith traditions. More...