Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Jainism

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation.
The aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul. BBC
Those who are ignorant of the supreme purpose of life will never be able to attain nirvana (liberation) in spite of their observance of the vratas (vows) and niymas (rules) of religious conduct and practice of shila (celibacy) and tapas (penance).


 Mahavira (Samayasara, 153)

Jains believe in self control through vows. They have their own 5 commandments if you will-known as the Great Vows:
1) AHIMSA (non violence) Also includes acceptance of others views
2) SATYA (truthfulness) If you can't speak truth in a situation-then remain silent
3) ASTEYA (non-stealing) Also be satisfied with what you have through your own labor
4) BRAHMACHAYRA (celibacy) Only have sexual relations with spouse
5) APARIGRAHA (non-possession) No personal attatchment to material things
The above 5 are achieved by a) WORD b) THOUGHT & c) ACTION. The GREAT VOWS are strictly followed by monks & nuns while householders are less restricted by them.

It is thought that Jainism came from the Indus River Valley culture before the arrival of the Aryans. (The Indus River Valley civilization was one of the early advanced civilizations shortly following the Tower of Babel. It was set up and flourished rapidly along the modern India-Pakistan border.)

When one becomes free from karmas they can tghen achieve divine consiousnness. The universe is eternal with no divine creator. Purpose of life is spiritual evolution. They worship icons of people who have supposedly achieved this state and their writings. Ultimate goal is liberation of the soul from re-birth. So in other words they believe in re-incarnation.

So what is wrong with following other religions? Well-There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25