Chapter 5 Jainism – Flashcards

1. The spiritual conquerors of the past, those who have attained salvation are called Tirthankaras They are the "makers of the river crossing." Thirthankaras are significant because they symbolize the means of traversing the realm of samsara to salvation beyond.

2. Parshva is the twenty third Tirthankara (24 overall) who lived in the eighth century BC, and continues to be a popular object of Jain devotion.

3. Mahavira's life story has many parallels with the Buddha's. Both engaged in extreme asceticism and practiced meditation that led to an experience of liberation from bondage to the ordinary world. Jainism explicitly rejects belief in a creator-God or in the possibility of receiving blessings from higher beings. It sees the universe as eternal but continually changing and going through regular great cycles of rise and fall.

4. The life story of Mahavira highlights two important differences between Jainism and Buddhism. First, whereas Gautama rejected asceticism in favor of the Middle Way, Mahavira held fast to its most extreme form. Second, whereas Gautama on his own true practices of Buddhism while seeking enlightenment, Mahavira learned the true practices of Jainism from others. These disciples formed the basis of the Jain community.

5. Kevala is the perfect and complete knowledge that is Jain enlightenment. It marks the point at which one is free from the damaging effects of karma and is liberated from samsara.

6. In Jainism, knowledge regarding the universe and salvation is very important because it maintains that salvation of the soul depends on understanding its predicament. And the soul's predicament is based in the makeup of the universe, which is composed of both eternal souls and infinite particles of matter.

7. The loka in Jainism is simply the universe. Jainism understands the loka to be a space that is finite yet almost indescribably vast.

8. The deities assist with the quest for salvation. They are destined to experience the rebirth.

9. The Jain universe passes through cycles that are depicted as turning of a wheel. As the wheel turns upward, the quality of each world improves. As the wheel turns downward, all things gradually decay, eventually reaching a state of utter destruction. At this point the next cycle begins, and the world gradually improves.

10. Jain cosmology can be divided into two categories: the soul and matter. The entire process of human destiny is based on this duality; salvation consists of liberation of the soul from the matter in which it is entwined.

11. The Jain attitude towards all life forms is this. All life-forms, because they are inhabited by a soul, are to be regarded as fellow creatures worthy of respect and care.

12. The Jain quest for salvation can be understood by picturing the loka as a giant man. The pure, liberated souls reside at the "umbrella" at the very top of the head, while all other life-forms reside below, weighed down by the matter in which their souls are entwined. So, salvation is attained when the soul cleans all matter form itself and regains its original state of purity. It is then free to bubble upward to its eternal home.

13. The two largest Jain sects are Shvetambaras, "those whose garment is white," and Digambaras, "those whose garment is the sky." Both sects have certain important doctrinal differences. Although both sects include nuns, only the Shvetambaras, who are more liberal, believe women can attain kevala. The Digambaras, who are more conservative, contend that a woman must first be reborn as a man before kevala can be a possibility.

14. The initiation ceremony that marks the transition to an ascetic life is intentionally designed to resemble a marriage, only in this case the candidate is joined (for life) to the ascetic lifestyle itself. The ceremony involves several ritual acts. Once initiated, the ascetics own nothing and receive all their food through begging.

15. -Do nit injure other life-forms -Avoid lying -Do not take what has been given -Renounce sexual activity -Renounce possession.

16. Ahimsa is the first vow that contains subclauses that indicate the all-encompassing nature of ahimsa (the principle of nonviolence). Passion is thought to be the primary cause of violence (the fifth vow). Jains acknowledge some important practical concessions. For instance, Ahimsa is considered to be violated only when the injury is accompanied by lack of care. In other words, intention matters.

17. All Jain ascetics pattern their lives after that of their great role model, Mahavira. The Jain Laity regard the Jain Ascetics with honor and respect, acknowledging their authority and tending to their needs.

18. The main concern of the Jain laypeople is achieving a good rebirth by improving one's karma through good acts. The ultimate aim of salvation is seen as a distant possibility with its extreme ascetic requirement.