1. Jainism.
- Author
-
Chapple, Chris
- Subjects
JAINISM ,JAINA meditations ,BUDDHA (The concept) ,PRAKRTI (Sankhya) ,BUDDHIST preaching ,HISTORY - Abstract
This article discusses the history of the rise of Jainism. The Jain tradition arose in India more than 2,500 years ago. The great Jain teacher Mahavira Vardhamana, was a contemporary of the Buddha, and both taught a doctrine grounded in renunciation of worldly concerns. Starting around 300 BCE, two strands of Jainism arose: the Digambara group, found mainly in south and central India, and the Svetambara group, found mainly in western and northern India. Although many Jains self-identify with the larger Hindu tradition, census figures place the Jain population at between 4 and 6 million. Jainism emphasizes the teaching of nonviolence. According to the tradition, karmic particles adhere to the soul, obscuring its true nature. The earliest extant Jain text is the Acaranga Sutra, written in the Prakrti language and revered by the Svetambara community. It provides detailed instructions on how to practice the five great vows: nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, celibacy and nonpossession. The Jain tradition emphasizes in great detail the perils of karma and urges people to avoid all forms of harm.
- Published
- 2005