The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Jainism has no belief in a creator god, though there are a number of lesser deities for various aspects of life. The two major branches digambara and svetambara of jainism stimulate selfcontrol or, shramana, selfreliance and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Feb 02, 2016 the jain agamas highlight lord mahaviras teachings to his disciples and constitute the sacred text that is central to the practice of the tradition. The main difference is that catholics and christians in general have a holy book called the bible which was deitygiven. It is written by a practising jain, drawing on his rich experience of jainism in all its aspects. Guru is a sanskrit word for teacher, and within sikhism it is the title given to the 10 spiritual leaders of sikhism dating from 1469 ad to 1708 ad as well as the sri guru granth. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago. The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. Markandeya puraan describes jambudvip as being depressed above and below and broad in the middle just like a globe srimad bhagavatam points out that on jambudvipa, night prevails diametrically opposite to a point where it is day and sun sets at a point opposite to where it rises mahabharat describes the universe as a series of shells divided in two by an earth plane called the bhu. Mahavira is said to have preached his first sermon at a congregation of brahmins engaged in performing a sacrifice and to have converted them to his path of nonviolence.
This festival celebrates the day of mahaviras birth. The application of the notion of scripture is complex in jainism. Jainism is a religion and philosophy native to india founded in about the 6th century bc by the sage mahavira. However, in buddhism there is what is known as the three baskets in sanskrit tripitika which consists of the vinayabasket the monastic precepts, regulations, and stories related to the establishment of the sang. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. The doctrine of jainism has minor similarities with the nyayavaisheshika and samkhya school. Jainism and hinduism have many similar characteristic features, including the concepts of samsara, karma and moksha. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. The jaina agamas or scriptures are the works of the immediate disciples of mahavira. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Mar 20, 2017 the book shows how buddhism and jainism share the basic concepts of karma, rebirth, and liberation with hinduism while giving them their own hue, and how they differ from the hindu tradition in their understanding of the role of the vedas, the caste system, and ritualism in religious life. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists.
Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. A fluid and interactive relationship with sacred texts is an important feature of contemporary pagan traditions. In this article, we will be dealing with the important points filtered out from ncert school text for standard 6 history. It is considered to be much more than a book, it is deemed to be the living guru of the sikhs. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Rather, there are many religious texts the most wellknown of which are the agams that include transcriptions of the oral history provided to us by tirthankars and jain teachers, as well as scholarly commentary on the interpretation of the religion. Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the jain scriptures should no longer be in danger. Ncert texts are a must read for every upsc aspirant and are available for free download from ncert. The jain path of purification was, in addition to the previous work, one of the very first books of its kind to be authored by a jain for the education of those unfamiliar with the jain worldview and way of life. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore. What is the holy book of buddhism and jainism answers.
These are texts which help to build the fundamentals. Indian history notes ncert texts are a must read for every upsc aspirant and are available for free download from ncert. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. He was the first of twentyfour teachers in the present halfcycle of time in jain cosmology, and called a ford maker because his teachings helped one across the sea of interminable rebirths and deaths. Jain worship the motive and purpose of jain worship is very different from worship in many other religions in fact it would seem that jain principles. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Holy days, festivals and rituals fasting is the very imporatant part of the jains tradition.
The oldest inscription in maharashtra is a 2ndcentury bc jain inscription in a cave near pale village in the pune district. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Collectively these texts are called jain canonical or agam literature. Among these five vows, nonviolence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and hence it is known as the cornerstone of jainism. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. List of books and articles about jainism online research. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda.
Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. While the majority of pilgrimage places in india are sacred to the followers of hinduism, there are numerous holy sites of other religions such as jainism, buddhism and islam. Apr 24, 2007 within sikhism, the holy book is called the sri guru granth sahib. In principle jain holy places are sacred for all the jains. The books are for children between the ages of around five to eleven. Jains will gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of mahavira. Also the religious books and scriptures were considered possessions and attachments for. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments. However, they differ over the precise nature and meaning of these concepts. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism.
May 18, 2006 this point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Find here a list of selected books on the various aspects of jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras, life and teachings of mahavira and jaina tradition. Goats and soda a member of the ancient religion of jainism who is very sick or very old may opt. In practice, some places are definitely of more importance to svetambaras than to digambaras and vice versa, and these are managed by institutions affiliated to one sect or the other. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings and practices of the.
Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. Nonviolence is the supreme religion ahimsa parmo dharma. Jainworld is a nonprofit taxexempt membership and donationsupported organization dedicated to jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. It is perhaps the most comprehensive and concise book of its kind, and few books on jainism are as. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion.
The jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor referring to the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths by destroying karma through an ethical and spiritual life. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. It was founded as a reaction against the vedic religion, which required animal sacrifices.
Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This oldest wisdom of mankind is being made available in all the languages for the benefit of humanity with movements like mission 24l. Images of mahavira are paraded through the streets with much pomp and ceremony. History, society, philosophy and practice agustin paniker on. We have all seen the dangers of people taking texts literally. List of world religions and founders, religious books. They were given their written form in the 5th century at vallabhi, in gujarat. Almost every upsc topper has repeated the importance of reading ncert school texts. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry large brushes so they can brush the floor in front of them to prevent stepping on any plants or insects. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. The first sacred books of the jaina are in prakrit or ardhamagdhi language. Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests.
The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Holy book and place of worship of sikhism,jainism, buddhism. The religion states that the tirthankara taught in a divine preaching hall called samavasarana, which were heard by the gods, the ascetics and laypersons. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. Aug 29, 2008 what is kalpa sutra and why do jains read it. The institute of jainology has begun publishing a learn jainism series to support the material on the learn jainism website. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. Online shopping for jainism religion from a great selection at books store. The marathi jainism is basically originated from maharashtra and flourished here. Christianity is the worlds biggest religion, with about 2.
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