Jainism and Sikhism

Jainism and Sikhism: 

Jainism and Sikhism

Roots to Hinduism: 

Roots to Hinduism Share belief in Karma and Rebirth, but both tend to be simpler religions. Both stress individual’s struggle to purify the self, to act morally, and to do good to others.

Jainism: 

Jainism Grew out of opposition to Hinduism Rejects belief in creator The universe is eternal but always changing in cycles Extreme non-attachment and non-harm principles Dualistic-(jiva/ajiva) to overcome body and material limitations

Tirthankaras (saints): 

Tirthankaras (saints) Nataputta Vardhamana is most recent Tirthankara Often considered founder of Jainism Called Mahavira (great man/hero) Life experience of winning out over all constraints Later called a jina (conqueror) Tirthankaras as role models are sometimes confused with dieties

Jain Ethics: 

Jain Ethics Non-violence (ahimsa) Non-lying Non-stealing Chastity/celibacy Non-attachment to anything (and everything)

Jain Branches: 

Jain Branches Digambaras Everything must be renounced (literally): all clothes and the shame of nakedness must be resisted Does not accept women and rejects that Mahavira was married Shvetambaras Monks and Nuns dress in all white (mainly due to climate needs in Northern India) Accept women and marriage, but think Mahavira left wife to find liberation Sthanakavasis Focus on meditation and individual austerities Do venerate statues of Tirthankaras much like Hindu puja, but the process is not worship and the Tirthankaras are not dieties Terapanthis Founded 1817 by Acharya Bhishu, founded on thirteen moral disciplines Has a supreme guru and are successful in spreading Jain principles to non-believers

Sikhism (Sikh=disciple): 

Sikhism (Sikh=disciple) Originally called sants – drawing from both Islam and Hinduism Differs from Hinduism Monotheistic Meat eating Believes military can be used in self defense (historically over the course of 11 gurus they became more militaristic and 'sword' oriented)

Sikhism History: 

Sikhism History Founder Nanak was Hindu by birth, but had spiritual experience that lead him to believe in only one God—True Name When the presence of 'True Name' is experienced, there is no Hindu and no Muslim distinction He wore a dhoti with an orange Muslim coat and cap

Sikhism Teachings: 

Sikhism Teachings Accepted reincarnation and karma Resisted Hindu love of ritual, polytheism and Vegetarianism God has personal qualities such as knowledge, love, justice, and compassion Believed in strong social justice component and formed groups to help fellow human beings called sangats

Sikh Scriptures: 

Sikh Scriptures Adi Granth – original collection or primary scripture of Sikhs Three parts Japji – poem by Guru Nanak Thirty-nine rags or tunes by Guru Nanak and other gurus Collection of poems and hymns from Hindu, Muslim and Sikh gurus and saints

Vocabulary Chap 5: 

Vocabulary Chap 5 Ajiva Jina Sallekhana Sikh tirthankara