Ibrahima Keita

James Jones
World Religions
11 21 2014
Jainism Religion
What do we know about Jainism? Jainism was born in India about the same period as
Buddhism. It was established by Mahavira (c. 599 - 527 BC) in about 500 B. C. He was born
near Patna in what is now Bihar state in India. Mahavira like Buddha belonged to the warrior
caste. Mahavira was called Jina meaning the big winner and from this name was derived the
name of the religion called Jainism. In many senses Jainism is similar to Buddhism. Both
developed as a dissension to the Brahmanic philosophy that was dominant during that period in
north-east India. Both share a belief in reincarnation which eventually leads to liberation. Jainism
is different to Buddhism in its ascetic beliefs. Both these religions emphasize non-violence, but
non-violence is the main core in Jainism. Mahavira just like Buddha is not the first prophet of his
religion. In Jainism like Buddhism there is a belief in reincarnation which eventually leads to
liberation. But Jainism is different than Buddhism in its ascetic beliefs. Both these religions
emphasis on non-violence, but in Jainism non-violence is its main core.
Jainism beliefs are different from others religions. Jains believe that the universe and
everything it contains are eternal. Nothing that exists now was ever created, nor will it be
destroyed. The universe consists of three realms: the heavens, the earthly realm and the hells.
There are seven levels of heaven in Jain cosmology. The top level, "the Realm of the Jinas" is

reserved for liberated souls. The next level down is the realm of the gods. The Jain understanding
of an uncreated and eternal universe leaves little room for an Almighty Creator God. Jains do,
however, believe in a "perfect universal presence," as well as multiple deities who dwell in the
heavens. As mentioned above, the realm of the gods consists of higher and lower gods. The
lower act very human, and often rule as despots. Humans may call on these deities for assistance.
One of the most important deities is Ambika, the Mother Goddess of Jainism. She is the patron
deity of material prosperity, childbirth and protection of women. Being eternal themselves,
humans can also attain "perfect beingness," or divinity. Jains believe that everything has life and
this also includes stones, sand, trees and every other thing. The fact that trees breathe came to be
known to the science world only from the 20th century. Mahavira who believed that everything
has life and also believed in non-violence practically did not eat anything causing his selfstarvation to death. Mahavira was also extremely ascetic and walked around completely naked
because of his renouncement of life. After years of hardship and meditation he attained
enlightenment. Thereafter, he preached Jainism for about 30 years and died at Pava (also in
Bihar) in 527 BC. Mahaviras religion followers are less extreme than him in diets. They are
vegetarians. But the religious Jains will do everything possible to prevent hurting any being.
They will not walk in fields where there are insects to prevent the possibility of stepping on
them. They also cover their mouth to prevent the possibility of swallowing small invisible
microbes. They mostly do not work in professions where there is a possibility of killing any
living being like in agriculture instead professions like banking and business. But it is not clear
what came first, businessmen who adopted Jain philosophy because it was easy for them to
follow or Jainish philosophy which convinced the Jains to adopt non violent professions. In
Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the natural moral law of the universe in which every good

and bad action has a corresponding effect on the doer. This karma accounts for why some are
richer, prettier or luckier than others and why otherwise similar people are at different spiritual
levels. It is also the determining factor of the form into which one is reborn. "Good karma"
results in a higher spiritual state and more favorable physical state, while "bad karma" has
negative physical and spiritual results. Jainism teaches that there are two different kinds of
karma, ghati ("destructive") and aghati ("non-destructive"). The former affects the soul and the
latter affects the body. Within each category are several kinds of karma, each of which has
particular results and a way of being shed. One can only attain liberation when he or she has shed
all karma. Bad actions related to physical life accumulate aghati karma, which result in negative
consequences for physical life (in the present life and/or the next). There are four kinds of aghati
karma which are happiness-determining (Vedniya), body determining (nam), status-determining
(gotra), and, longevity-determining (ayushya).
Jainism religion is a religion really different from others, because they do not believe the
same things as others. For example they believe that everything in the world has God in it. That
is not the same case in Islam, Christianity, or, even Judaism. However they do have some similar
beliefs with others religions such as the belief of non stealing, non killing, and, no lying.
Work Cited.
"Jain Beliefs." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's
Religions. 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.religionfacts.com>.
Romano, Donnamarie. "Jainism." Queensborough Community College. 1 Jan. 2001. Web. 2
Nov. 2014. <http://www.qcc.cuny.edu>.