What are the main beliefs of jainism

Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, advocate right speech, right thought and right action to achieve salvation. The basic tenets of Jainism are non-violence (ahimsa); non-attachment (aparigraha); speaking the truth (satya); not stealing (asteya); and sexual restraint (brahmacharya).

Jains do not believe in a God or gods in the way that many other religions do, but they do believe in divine (or at least perfect) beings who are worthy of devotion.

Jainism Beliefs

The distinguishing features of Jain philosophy are its belief in the independent existence of soul and matter; the denial of a creative and omnipotent God, combined with a belief in an eternal universe; and a strong emphasis on non-violence, morality, and ethics.

In Jainism there are five kinds of knowledge including sensory knowledge, scriptural knowledge, clairvoyance, telepathy, and omniscience. Jainism teaches that there are six simple substances including soul, matter, time, space, adharma, and dharma. Jainism refers to the soul substance as Jiva.

The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are the canonical literature – the scriptures – of Svetambara Jainism. Mahavira’s disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations.

Veneration of the 24 Jinas is the most significant devotional focus in Jainism. These perfected-beings serve as role models to guide the faithful on the proper path to liberation from the endless cycles of rebirth.

Jainism has long been respected as the world’s most peace-loving religion because of its strict doctrine of non-violence (ahimsa). Mahatma Gandhi, born a Hindu, was an admirer of Jainism’s teachings and adopted the doctrine of non-violence in his movement for Indian independence.

In Jainism the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyagdarshana (“right faith”), samyagjnana (“right knowledge”), and samyakcharitra (“right conduct”). One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation.

Jainism is a religion of self-help. There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings. The three guiding principles of Jainism, the ‘three jewels’, are right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. The supreme principle of Jain living is non violence (ahimsa).

Jains take five main vows: ahiṃsā (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (sexual continence), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). These principles have affected Jain culture in many ways, such as leading to a predominantly vegetarian lifestyle.

Jainism is somewhat similar to Buddhism, of which it was an important rival in India. It was founded by Vardhamana Jnatiputra or Nataputta Mahavira (599-527 BC), called Jina (Spiritual Conqueror), a contemporary of Buddha.

According to Jainism, consciousness is a primary attribute of Jīva (soul) and this consciousness manifests itself as darsana (perception) and jnana (knowledge).

Four deadly sins

These are anger, pride, deceitfulness, and greed.

Jain temples contain images of tirthankaras; either in seated meditation, or standing. A seated image or images is usually the focus of a temple interior. Jains make offerings to the images as part of their worship. Jain temples range from the immense and elaborate to the very plainest of worship rooms.

Jains and the Hindu society

It is quite difficult to differentiate a lay Jain from a lay Hindu. The Jain code of conduct is quite similar to that which is found in Hindu Dharmasashtra, Manusmriti and other Law books of Brahmans. Many Jains now worship Hindu gods and celebrate Hindu festivals.