Module 5: Religious and spiritual approaches to human happiness
  Lecture 11: Jain and Buddhist Philosophies
 

Jainism is one of the oldest organized religions of India, older than many forms of Hinduism. It is divided into two sects: Digambar and Svetambar. Digambar monks do not wear any clothes and in their hands they carry a special kind of pot and a broom (made of fallen peacock's feathers). Svetambar monks wear white and seamless clothes. There are only minor philosophical differences between the two. There is a belief that as a religion Jainism was organized sometime between 9th and 6th century BC. It is, therefore, somewhat older than Buddhism and many varieties of Vedic religions. Thus Jainism reflects the original native spirituality of India. In philosophy it presents the distinctive philosophy of Syadvada according to which there are seven viewpoints on reality (Varni, 2007):

    • Syad-asti — "in some ways it is"

    • Syad-nasti — "in some ways it is not"

    • Syad-asti-nasti — "in some ways it is and it is not"

    • Syad-asti-avaktavya — "in some ways it is and it is indescribable"

    • Syad-nasti-avaktavya — "in some ways it is not and it is indescribable"

    • Syad-asti-nasti-avaktavya — "in some ways it is, it is not and it is indescribable"

    • Syad-avaktavya — "in some ways it is indescribable"

    Jains believe in the idea of enlightenment and liberation. For this one has to practice Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), (Aparigraha) non-possession or non-materialism. Jains also believe in the idea of karma and transmigration. For a jiv, to get liberated is to shed karmas either by allowing the past karmas (good as well as bad) to ripen with a sense of equanimity or by practicing tapas or penances, or meditation. Jains believe in the idea of impermanence of the world. They also believe that a soul can save itself only through the efforts of self. For this a jiva has to practice forbearance and forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, purity, truth, self-restraint, control of senses and mind, external penance and renunciation. No outside source a person, a book or a place can save the soul. Many Jains worship the idol of God Mahavir (Figure 11.1), who is believed to be the 24th Tirthankar of this age.