Jainnism

JAINISMA Way of Life & A Religion : 

JAINISMA Way of Life & A Religion Jain Society Of Metropolitan Chicago 435 N. Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103 Phone: (630) 837-1077 Website: www.jsmconline.org

Agenda : 

Agenda Jainism Jainism and World Religions Jainism – A Way of Life Jainism – A Religion Jainism in USA JSMC Chicago Q & A

JainismA Religion : 

JainismA Religion

What is Jainism? : 

What is Jainism? Jainism is a way of life and one of the oldest religions of the world. It believes in a cyclical nature of universe. It discourages superstition and blind faith and encourages free and rational thinking. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and discipline. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the “Gods” of Jains. Jains have always practiced non-violence, vegetarianism, meditation, yoga, and environmentalism.

Slide 5: 

What are the Principles of Jainism?

What are Basic Philosophies of Jainism? : 

What are Basic Philosophies of Jainism? Jainism believes in Godhood but does not believe God to be the First Cause. God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the universe. “God” does not Punish or Reward Each person is responsible for improving life by one’s self-endeavor Each person is capable of achieving Godhood All Living Beings have Souls & are Equal All life is sacred Therefore, living in peace & harmony is essential Elimination of our Karmas is the Path to Liberation & Achievement of Godhood It requires multiple re-births Ultimate Goal of Life To be free from all karma

What is the Karma Theory? : 

What is the Karma Theory? The principles governing the successions of life cycles (birth, life, and death) is Karma. The Theory of Karma is founded on the simple law of cause and effect. What we experience now is the result of our own past action and our future is a function of our own choice and making. Explains the role that karmas play in our lives, how we accumulate karmas, and how we get rid of them. Actions of mind, speech, and body bind us with karma and our intentions and the passions determine the duration, strength and the results of the bondage.

Who Is Lord Mahavir? : 

Who Is Lord Mahavir? Lord Mahavir - 24th (and final) Tirthankara Born on March 30, 599 B.C. (about 2600 years ago) as a prince in Bihar, India. He attained nirvana in the year 527 B.C. at the age of 72. The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain the total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, and death, and achieve the permanent blissful state (known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom, or moksha.) He shaped the present form of Jainism. Lord Mahavir envisioned men and women to be on equal footing in the matters of spiritual advancement.

Goals of Jainism : 

Goals of Jainism

What does Jainism Teach about Ecology? : 

What does Jainism Teach about Ecology? Non-Possessiveness / Aparigraha Self-restraint is the second most important Jain principle. Minimizing consumption provides respect for others’ life and environment. Reuse / Recycle Products – Do not waste the gifts of nature. Share resources. Nature provides enough for our NEED, but not enough for our GREED.

Major Jain Religious Events : 

Major Jain Religious Events Mahavir Jayanti – celebration of the birth of Lard Mahavir Paryushan Parva – festival of forgiviness Samvatsari Pratikraman – 3 hour prayer to ask for forgiveness Mahavir Nirvan – celebration at Diwali/New Year’s per the lunar calendar

Jain Symbols : 

Jain Symbols Palm – signifies assurance; to have faith and change the path of righteousness. Wheel of Dharma – 24 spokes represent the 24 Tirthankars. The word inside the wheel is ahimsa. Digit of moon – (region of liberated souls) Three dots – (Right Perception/Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct) Overall meaning – After removing all of their karmas, living beings will reside in the world of liberated souls.

Jain Temples : 

Jain Temples The idols of the 24 Tirthankars are the same because they represent the quality and virtues of the Tirthankars, not the physical body. A unique symbol at the bottom of each idol differentiates them. For example, Lord Mahavir's idol is recognized by the symbol of a lion.

Slide 14: 

Jainismand World Religions

World Religion : 

World Religion “What holds one from falling from spiritual degeneration is religion.”

Timeline : 

Timeline

External God & Internal Soul : 

External God & Internal Soul Jainism: Soul Western:God

Life Cycles : 

Life Cycles

Different Core – Similar Outcome : 

Different Core – Similar Outcome External god controls you Religion/philosophy/science separate Linear nature of life/death As you sow so you reap on judgment day God is the soul within you Karma determines your next life Cyclic nature of life/death - nirvana Religion and philosophy are intertwined Eastern Religions Western Religions

JainismA Way of Life : 

JainismA Way of Life

Jain Beliefs : 

Jain Beliefs

What is Daily Life of a Jain? : 

What is Daily Life of a Jain? Code of Conduct for Monks & Nuns (stricter) Code for Laymen and Laywomen Vegetarianism & Non-Violent Practices No Silk, Leather, Animal Products Simplicity of Lifestyle, Non-Materialism Meditation and Introspection Forgiveness is a Moral Doctrine Compassion, Charity & Community Service Preservation of the Environment Jainism is the World’s Only Religion Emphasizing the Environment

How Does Jainism Bring Change? : 

How Does Jainism Bring Change?

Multi Step Approach : 

Multi Step Approach

Slide 26: 

JainismIn USA

Jainism in USA : 

Jainism in USA Two events anticipated the future arrival of Jainism in the United States The arrival of Virachand Gandhi in 1893 at Chicago's World Parliament of Religions. He is therefore, considered the father of American Jainism. The construction of a "Jain temple" at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904-1905. Jainism inspired Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for India’s independence from Britain. Dr. M. L. King (USA) and Nelson Mandela (S. Africa) applied the first principle of Jainism (ahimsa/non-violence) in U.S. Civil Rights struggles

Jainism in USA : 

Jainism in USA 1850 - American Vegetarian Society established 1893 - Arrival of Virachand Gandhi to participate in Chicago's World Parliament of Religions 1904 - Jain Temple at St. Louis World's Fair 1944 - First Jain settlers in USA 1966 - Jain Center of America in New York established 1973 - Jain Center of Greater Boston established 1981 - First Jain convention in Los Angeles 1983 - Formal organization of JAINA (Jain Associations in North America) 1991 - Founding of Siddhachalam, the Jain tirtha 1993 - Temple Pratishtha, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago 2000 - Jain Vishwa Bharati Orlando 2002 - Jain population estimated to be about 100,000

Jains in USA - Today : 

Jains in USA - Today 66 Jain Centers in USA 113,000 Approximate Jains in USA (vs. 6 Million out of 1.1 Billion people in India) $26 Billions Assets $4.2 Billions Estimated Collective Total Income of NA Jains Today there are Jain centers in 25 of the 50 U.S. states Refer to Harvard Pluralism Project's Directory of Religious Centers Why is “Jain” sometimes spelled “Jaina”? Words often have an inherent “a” (pronounced ‘uh’ as in ‘under’) sound at the end of them. Though English is not very particular about this sound (many English words are not pronounced phonetically), Indian languages are very particular about sound. Thus, the word “Jain”, spelled in Hindi or Gujarati, does contain the inherent “a” sound at the end. In order to negate this sound, a special marker is placed under the particular letter. Therefore, to translate the word “Jain” from Prakrit or Sanskrit, it may be spelled with our without the “a”, simply because when spoken, it does contain an “a” sound at the end.

Jainism in USA - In 2020 : 

Jainism in USA - In 2020

Thank You : 

Thank You