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RELIGIONS
INDIA-200 J
encyclopedia
when men will be dwarfs in stature. This will be followed by an
ascending cycle and then a descending cycle and so on for all
eternity. The two cycles together make one rotation of the wheel
of time or one
kalpa (20
x 10
14
Sagaropama
years).
*
Jainism sees the universe as constituted of living entities with
souls
(jivas)
and non-living entities without souls (
ajivas
).
*
The souls are divisible into two main classes: immobile (
sthav-
ara)
and mobile (
trasa
) according to the number of sense organs
they possess. The first group has only one sense, that of touch,
and consists of small particles of earth, water, fire and air, as also
the vegetable kingdom. The second group comprises bodies that
have two, three, four or five sense organs. The Jainas believe that
the four elements - earth, water, air and fire - as well as plants and
vegetation, animals, stones, plants and rocks have souls.
*
The non-living entities (
ajivas
) are divided into five categories:
motion (
dharma
), rest
(adharma),
space (
akasha
), matter
ipudgala)
and time
(kala).
*
The Jainas, with the Hindus, believe in the doctrine of
Karma
and
Samsara,
in the transmigration of souls. By nature each soul
is pure. It acquires karma, which adheres to the soul as matter in
a fine atomic form invisible to the human eye, as a result of
activity. This
karma
leads to the acquisition of further
karma
which leads to the cycle of transmigration.
Nirvana
(freedom
from births) can be obtained by self- discipline, self-realisation,
self-denial, austerity and
sallekhana
(self-meditative slow star-
vation to death).
*
The core of Jain ethics is the doctrine of
ahimsa,
non-injury to
all living creatures. Emphasis on
ahimsa
is responsible for Jains
carrying on with
Vi veka
(discrimination) the profession of ag-
riculture since this involves the destruction of living organisms
in the soil.
Krishi
(Agriculture) was taught to the people by the
first Jain Tirthankara Adinath Rishabhadeva himself along with
other useful life-arts of
masi
(writing) and
asi
(weaponry).
Ahimsa
signifies love of all creatures and forbids any harm being
caused to any living being. It also advocates a positive aspect
of doing good and work for welfare of all beings, and ameliorate
the condition of the weak and downtrodden . The four major
charters of Jainism are known as
'Chaturvidhdana
’.
a)
Giving food to hungry and poor.
b)
Saving lives of people in danger.
c)
Distributing medicines.
d)
Spreading knowledge.
In order to ensure that the fourfold gift tradition is followed, the
Jains have established
Anna Chhatralayas
(the aim houses),
Dharma Shalas
(the rest houses),
Aushadalayas
(dispensaries)
and
Pinjarpols
(protection for the helpless animals).
*
Jainism declares that no one has the right to claim that he alone
is in the right. This is called
Anekantavada,
the many-sidedness,
of reality which holds that it is impossible to make an absolute
assertion about anything.
*
The
Syadvada
aims at harmonising discordant doctrines.
*
Mahavira preached the doctrine of
Triratna
or
Ratnatraya
(three
jewels) - right faith, right knowledge and right action along with
truth, honesty and chastity.
HOLY PLACES
*
Mount Shatrunjaya (city of temples) at Palitana in Gujarat.
*
Vaishali, the birthplace of Mahavira, in Bihar.
*
The Ranakpur temple and Dilwara Temples on Mount Abu in
Rajasthan.
*
The Gimar Mount temples near Junagadh, in Gujarat.
*
The Hill of Parasvanatha in Bihar.
*
Shravanabelagola in Karnataka and several others.
CEREMONIES / FESTIVALS
*
Jainism has limited cult of relics. However, the Jains have
erected temples and sanctuaries all over India.
*
Festivals connected with panca-kalyanakas (the five auspicious
events in the life of each Tirthankara).
1.
garbhadana
(descent in the mother's womb).
2.
janma
(birth).
3.
diksa
(renunciation).
4.
kevalajnana
(attainment of omniscience).
5.
moksha
or
nirvana
(death).
*
In Jain ceremonies a rosary of 108 beads and tablets bearing
sacred figures and formulae is used.
*
Ih the
Digambara
temples the statues of Jain
Tirthankaras
and
saints are nude and have downcast eyes to indicate spiritual con-
centration.
*
In the
Svetambara
temples the majority of images are shown in
a seated position with crossed legs. The statues wear loin-cloths
and have glass eyes.
*
Offerings of sweetmeats, flowers and fruits are made, incense is
burnt and lighted lamps are waved before the images.
*
Women as well as men perform Jain rituals. Mahavira allowed
women to enter the ascetic order. Women were, however,
following natural, physiological difference, given a position
subordinate to men in the church hierarchy inspite of being
potentially equal soul-wise.
*
One of the most memorable Jain images is the statue of Saint
Gommata at Shravanabelagola near Hassan [Karnataka],
Standing 561/2 ft. high and measuring thirteen feet around the
hips,
the figure was carved in about A.D. 981. The last
Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony was held in December, 1993.
*
The most popular festival of the Jains is Pary usana or Pajjusana
in the month of Bhadrapada (August - September). Pajjusana
means:
1.
pacification by forgiving and service with whole-hearted
effort and devotion and meditation.
2.
staying at one place during the monsoon. During the
'festival, annual pratikramana or confession, is performed
to remove all old ill-feelings.
*
Twice a year, for nine days, during the month of
Caitra
(March-
April) and
Asvina
(September-October), a fasting ceremony
known as Oli is observed.
*
The full-moon day of
Caitra
(March-April) is celebrated with
great fervour by a large number of pilgrims atop mount Sha-
trunjaya, sacred to the first Tirthankara.
*
On the same day as the Hindus celebrate Diwali (Festival of
Lights), Jains also commemorate the Nirvana of Mahavira by
lighting lamps.
*
Mahavira Jayanti, marking the birth of Mahavira, is celebrated
all over India.
(P.J.T)