Jain Way of Life - Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, Non-Possessiveness
The spiritual power and moral grandeur of Mahavir's teachings impressed the masses. He made religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the popular impulse towards internal beauty and harmony of the soul.
His message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma-charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. He said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially has perfect perception (Anant-darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant-jnana), perfect power (Anant-virya), and perfect bliss (Anant-sukha)." Mahavir's message reflects freedom and spiritual joy of the living being.
Mahavir was quite successful in eradicating from human intellect the conception of God as creator, protector, and destroyer. He also denounced the worship of gods and goddesses as a means of salvation. He taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stressed the importance of the positive attitude of life.
Lord Mahavir also preached the gospel of universal love, emphasizing that all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, and form how spiritually developed or under-developed, are equal and we should love and respect them.
Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus, unlike Buddha, Mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith. He followed the well established creed of his predecessor Tirthankara Parshvanath. However, Mahavir did reorganize the philosophical tenets of Jainism to correspond to his times. Lord Mahavir preached five great vows while Lord Parshva preached four great vows.
In the matters of spiritual advancement, as envisioned by Mahavir, both men and women are on an equal footing. The lure of renunciation and liberation attracted women as well. Many women followed Mahavir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate happiness.
In a few centuries after Mahavir's nirvana, Jain religious order (Sangha) grew more and more complex. There were schisms on some minor points although they did not affect the original doctrines as preached by the Tirthankars. Later generations saw the introduction of ritualistic complexities which almost placed Mahavir and other Tirthankars on the throne of Hindu deities.
Idol Worship
The idols of twenty-four Tirthankaras in the temple are the same because they represent the quality and virtues of Tirthankaras not the physical body. However, at the bottom of each idol a unique symbol is placed to differentiate them. Lord Mahavir's idol is recognized by the symbol of a lion.
Prayer of Jain religion:
Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navkar-mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship.
Namo Arihantanam: - I bow to the enlightened souls
Namo Siddhanam: - I bow to the liberated souls
Namo Ayariyanam: - I bow to religious leaders
Namo Uvajjayanam: - I bow to religious teachers
Namo Loe Savva Sahunam: - I bow to all monks of the world
Eso Panch Namukkaro: - These five salutations are capable of
Savva Pava Panasano: destroying all the sins and this is
Mangalancha Savvesin the first happiness among all forms
Padhamam Havai Mangalam: of happiness.
In the above prayer, Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from their Gods, the Tirthankaras or from monks and nuns. They do not pray to a specific Tirthankara or monk by name. By saluting them, Jains receive the inspiration from the five benevolent for the right path of true happiness and total freedom from the misery of life.
Jainism (Jain Scriptures, Books & Articles)
TEXT LIST
Jain Scriptures
Jain Books (General)
Jain Articles (Ahimsa)
Jain Articles (General)
Jain Scriptures AuthorFormats
Jaina (Gaina) SutrasSacred Books of the East
-Volume 22-
(Part 1)
Hermann Jacobi
(Scripture & Notes Version)
(Scripture Only Version)
Jain Books & Articles Books (General) Jainism Herbert Warren
A Handbook of Jainology Acharyashri Bhuvanbhanusoorishwarji
Jain Culture ---
Jainism in Buddhist Literature Dr. Hiralal Jain
Twelve Facets of Reality Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
Ten Days Journey Into The Self Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
The Path of Arhat: A Religious Democracy T. U. Mehta
The Jain Agams Shri Dalsukh Malvania
Shri Atma Siddhi Shastra Shrimad Rajchandra
Doctrine of Karman in Jain Philosophy Dr. H. V. Glasenapp
The Essence of Jainism Manubhai Doshi
Jainism Explained Paul Marett
Essence of Jainism(Jain Dharmno Pran)
Sukhalalji
Jainism its Philosophy and Religion P. Nahar and K. Ghosh
Jaina Philosophy Mohanlal Mehta
Jaina View of Life T. G. Kalghati
Outlines of Jainism Jagmanderlal Jaini
Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion Dr. Ramjee Singh
Prasamarati Prakarana Vacaka Acarya Umasvati
Ahimsa (Non-Violence / Non-Injury)
Ahimsa is not a religion ... It is a way of life Clare Rosenfield and Linda Segall
Ahimsa (Non-violence) Beyond Vegetarianism Surbhi Shah
Ahimsa and Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco Mr. H. Jay Dinshah
Jiva-Daya (Ahimsa) Seminar Narendra Sheth
Ahimsa Awareness I The Jain L.A. Youths
Ahimsa Awareness II Shaina Varia~Texas Seminar~
Cruelties Involved in Cosmetics and Household Products Shilpa Shah
Jain Articles (General) The Jain Declaration on Nature Dr. L. M. Singhvi
A Panoramic View of Jainism Dr. Ratan Kumar Jain, Siddhantacharya
Mahavir and His Philosophy of Life A.N. Upadhyay
Anger Anop Vora
Forgiveness Anop Vora
Jain Model of Learning Process Anop R. Vora
The Theory of Karma Anop R.Vora
Role of Jainism in Modern India Dr. B.H. Kapadia
Rajendra Suri, A Reformer and Revivalist B.N. Luniya
Choose The Great Road Shri B.P. Wadia
What Jainism Offers To The World Shri C.S. Mallinath
Lord Mahavira's Anudharmika Conduct Shri Dalsukh Malvania
Jnana Darsana and Caritra in Jainism Dr. B.C. Law
The Attendant Devis of Jinas Dr. C.L. Prabhakar
The Place of Jainism in Indian Thought Dr. Felix Valyi
Lord Mahavira - An Evaluation Dr. S.B. Deo
Jainism in South India G.V. Raju
Selections From Acharya Umaswami's Tattvarth Sutra Dr. Duli Chandra Jain
Meditation in Jain Scriptures Dr. Rajendra Kumar and Mrs. Neelu Jain
Equanimity and Meditation (Samayika and Dhyana) Prof. Sagarmal Jain
The solutions of world problems from Jaina Perspective Prof. Sagarmal Jain
Antiquity of Jainism Kailasha Chandra Jain
Jainism - Its Distinctive Features and Their Impact on our Composite Culture Prof. Kr. De. Karnataki
The Anuttara Upapatika Sutra Prof. K.H. Kamdar, M. A., Baroda
On The Term Darsana in Jainism K.P. Sinha
The Nature of Death (Original Gujarati article) Sujanmal Modi
Witnessing the Spirit of Meditation Shri Osho
Jain Agam Literature Pravin K. Shah
Jainism and World Peace Prof. Prithvi Raj Jain, M.A. Shastri
The Message of The Religion of Ahimsa Prof. A. Chakravarti
The Concept of God in Jainism Dr. Hemant Shah
Types of Knowledge (Jnana) in Jainism Dr. Hemant Shah
His Holiness Jain Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj (Guruji) Pravin K. Shah
Meditation Acharya Shri Shushil Muni
Jainism in South India T.K. Tukol
Jain Literature and Kundakunda(8 B.C. - 44 A.D.)
Dr. T.V.G. Sastri
Twelve Bhavana: Contemplations & Reflection ---
Jain Symbols ---
Introduction To Jain Philosophy ---
Jain Respect For All Life Myrtle Langley
Jainism Prem Suman Jain
Shraman Bhagavan Mahavira and Jainism Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah
Life of Shrimad Rajchandra(A Brief Biography)
---
The Miracle is You Richard Kleifgen
Navigation
TEXT LIST
Jain Scriptures
Jain Books (General)
Jain Articles (Ahimsa)
Jain Articles (General)
Jain Scriptures AuthorFormats
Jaina (Gaina) SutrasSacred Books of the East
-Volume 22-
(Part 1)
Hermann Jacobi
(Scripture & Notes Version)
(Scripture Only Version)
Jain Books & Articles Books (General) Jainism Herbert Warren
A Handbook of Jainology Acharyashri Bhuvanbhanusoorishwarji
Jain Culture ---
Jainism in Buddhist Literature Dr. Hiralal Jain
Twelve Facets of Reality Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
Ten Days Journey Into The Self Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu
The Path of Arhat: A Religious Democracy T. U. Mehta
The Jain Agams Shri Dalsukh Malvania
Shri Atma Siddhi Shastra Shrimad Rajchandra
Doctrine of Karman in Jain Philosophy Dr. H. V. Glasenapp
The Essence of Jainism Manubhai Doshi
Jainism Explained Paul Marett
Essence of Jainism(Jain Dharmno Pran)
Sukhalalji
Jainism its Philosophy and Religion P. Nahar and K. Ghosh
Jaina Philosophy Mohanlal Mehta
Jaina View of Life T. G. Kalghati
Outlines of Jainism Jagmanderlal Jaini
Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion Dr. Ramjee Singh
Prasamarati Prakarana Vacaka Acarya Umasvati
Ahimsa (Non-Violence / Non-Injury)
Ahimsa is not a religion ... It is a way of life Clare Rosenfield and Linda Segall
Ahimsa (Non-violence) Beyond Vegetarianism Surbhi Shah
Ahimsa and Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco Mr. H. Jay Dinshah
Jiva-Daya (Ahimsa) Seminar Narendra Sheth
Ahimsa Awareness I The Jain L.A. Youths
Ahimsa Awareness II Shaina Varia~Texas Seminar~
Cruelties Involved in Cosmetics and Household Products Shilpa Shah
Jain Articles (General) The Jain Declaration on Nature Dr. L. M. Singhvi
A Panoramic View of Jainism Dr. Ratan Kumar Jain, Siddhantacharya
Mahavir and His Philosophy of Life A.N. Upadhyay
Anger Anop Vora
Forgiveness Anop Vora
Jain Model of Learning Process Anop R. Vora
The Theory of Karma Anop R.Vora
Role of Jainism in Modern India Dr. B.H. Kapadia
Rajendra Suri, A Reformer and Revivalist B.N. Luniya
Choose The Great Road Shri B.P. Wadia
What Jainism Offers To The World Shri C.S. Mallinath
Lord Mahavira's Anudharmika Conduct Shri Dalsukh Malvania
Jnana Darsana and Caritra in Jainism Dr. B.C. Law
The Attendant Devis of Jinas Dr. C.L. Prabhakar
The Place of Jainism in Indian Thought Dr. Felix Valyi
Lord Mahavira - An Evaluation Dr. S.B. Deo
Jainism in South India G.V. Raju
Selections From Acharya Umaswami's Tattvarth Sutra Dr. Duli Chandra Jain
Meditation in Jain Scriptures Dr. Rajendra Kumar and Mrs. Neelu Jain
Equanimity and Meditation (Samayika and Dhyana) Prof. Sagarmal Jain
The solutions of world problems from Jaina Perspective Prof. Sagarmal Jain
Antiquity of Jainism Kailasha Chandra Jain
Jainism - Its Distinctive Features and Their Impact on our Composite Culture Prof. Kr. De. Karnataki
The Anuttara Upapatika Sutra Prof. K.H. Kamdar, M. A., Baroda
On The Term Darsana in Jainism K.P. Sinha
The Nature of Death (Original Gujarati article) Sujanmal Modi
Witnessing the Spirit of Meditation Shri Osho
Jain Agam Literature Pravin K. Shah
Jainism and World Peace Prof. Prithvi Raj Jain, M.A. Shastri
The Message of The Religion of Ahimsa Prof. A. Chakravarti
The Concept of God in Jainism Dr. Hemant Shah
Types of Knowledge (Jnana) in Jainism Dr. Hemant Shah
His Holiness Jain Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj (Guruji) Pravin K. Shah
Meditation Acharya Shri Shushil Muni
Jainism in South India T.K. Tukol
Jain Literature and Kundakunda(8 B.C. - 44 A.D.)
Dr. T.V.G. Sastri
Twelve Bhavana: Contemplations & Reflection ---
Jain Symbols ---
Introduction To Jain Philosophy ---
Jain Respect For All Life Myrtle Langley
Jainism Prem Suman Jain
Shraman Bhagavan Mahavira and Jainism Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah
Life of Shrimad Rajchandra(A Brief Biography)
---
The Miracle is You Richard Kleifgen
Navigation