Jaina can refer to: Jaina, Campeche, a site of the Maya civilization. Jaina Solo, a Star Wars Expanded Universe character. Jaina (Xindi), a Star Trek Enterprise character. Jain, a follower of Jainism. Jainism, an ancient classical religion of India. Jaina Proudmoore is a character in the Warcraft universe. Other related archivesExpanded Universe, Jain, Jaina Proudmoore, Jaina Solo, Jaina, Campeche, Jainism, Maya civilization, St

Read more here: » Jaina: Encyclopedia - Jaina

See also:

Jaina Proudmoore, Jaina Proudmoore - Biography, Jaina Proudmoore - Family

Read more here: » Jaina Proudmoore: Encyclopedia II - Jaina Proudmoore - Biography

Jaina:

Jaina (sometimes Jain): pertaining to the jinas ("conquerors"), the liberated adepts of Jainism; a member of Jainism, the spiritual tradition founded by Vardhamana Mahavira, a contemporary of Gautama the Buddha

(See also: Jaina, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Jaina Kalpasutra - A Visual Treat

The Kalpasutra is held in great honour especially by the Svetambara sect of Jainism. A work in Prakrit, its composition is originally attributed to the celebrated author Bhadrabahu (BC 433 to 357).

The Kalpasutra shows the early stage of the development of Jainism, the succession of pontiffs and the rules for Jaina monks during the four months of monsoon or chaturmasa when the monks are not on the move. The text records the five auspicious events - the descent from heaven, birth, initiation, obtaining of omniscience, and death - and many legends of the last three Pathfinders or Tirthankaras: Aristanemi, Parsvanatha, and Mahavira, and those of Rishabhanatha, the first of the 24 Tirthankaras. The arrangement of Bhadrabahu's book moves back in time.

Read more here: » Jaina Kalpasutra: Jaina Kalpasutra - A Visual Treat

The Jaina Theory of Relativity

The same man is regarded simultaneously as son, father, son-in-law, father-in-law, nephew, uncle, brother, cousin, husband and so on; yet there is no contradiction owing to an understood relationship which is termed in Jainism as syadvada . The triple stream of right vision, knowledge and conduct flows in one channel, the path to liberation, moksha-marga ; it branches into hundreds of fresh streams of different aims and objects, which as a whole are called 'not-one-end', anekanta , the applied form of which is syadvada .

Read more here: » Jainism: The Jaina Theory of Relativity

Sacred Numbers: Maths as Tool to Attain Mukti

"I bow to that glorious Lord of the Jainas, who as the shining lamp of the know-ledge of numbers made to shine whole of the universe", said Mahaviracharya in Ganita Sara Sangraha. Few know that ancient Jain scientific thought is a rich source of Indian scientific heritage. The grand Jain spiritual tradition and its masters broadly influenced Indian thought and rationality in three key areas: Atomism, non-absolutism and mathematical concepts including the theory of numbers. As realists, a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the material world was important to Jain philosophers.

Read more here: » Jainism: Maths as Tool to Attain Mukti - Sacred Numbers

The 'soul' metaphysics in Jainism has a very interesting colour-coded concept called the Lesya . According to Jainism, Lesya is determined by the adherence of karmic matter to the jiva or soul, resulting from both good and bad actions. This adherence is compared to the way in which particles of dust adhere to a body smeared with oil.

Read more here: » Jainism: Lesya - Jaina Theory Of Coloured Destiny

In the realm of Indian philosophical speculation, the contribution of Jainism is significant. Philosophical speculation, generally speaking, is based on logical ratiocination or formal reasoning, and experience. New curiosities that emerge out of human mind are satisfied through these two processes. Of the two, philosophical speculation based on experience is bound to be more mature and solid.

Read more here: » Jainism: Nayavada - Jaina View Of Reality

Jaina Ôsoul metaphysics has an interesting colour-code called lesya, a unique concept in the phenomenology of karma. The special aura of the soul can be described in terms of colour, smell, touch or taste indicating the stages of spiritual progress of a living being, whether human, animal, demonic or divine.

Read more here: » Lesya: The Colour of Your Karma - Lesya

Jainism continues to be a living faith in India, with adherents living in nearly every state, but concentrated mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Jainism has practically no following outside the country of its birth. The core of Jaina ethics is the doctrine of ahimsa or non-injury to any living creature. Jainism does not espouse belief in a creator but divides the universe into two independent, eternal categories: Jiva (life) and ajiva (non-life).

Read more here: » Jainism: Renewing Oneself Through Confession

Once a famous king came to lord Mahavira - his name was Prasenjit. He came to Mahavira and said, "I have everything that this world can offer. I am deeply contented. There is nothing more to achieve. All my ambitions are fulfilled. Only one thing goes on and on in my mind: What is this meditation? What is this Dhyan ? I am ready to buy it, whatever be the cost.

Osho tells a beautiful story about Lord Mahavira.

Read more here: » Jainism: Mahavira - An Emperor Of The Inner Kingdom

One of the several stories narrated in the sixth anga of the Jain scriptures is about Malli. Malli was the only woman among the twenty-four Tirthankaras. Here is the story in brief.

Read more here: » Jainism: Malli – Woman Tirthankar

The most important festival of the Jain community is Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. This is observed on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Chaitra. The day is celebrated with great zeal and devotion. People visit sacred places and worship Teerthankaras (spiritual guides) on this day.

Read more here: » Jainism: Indian Festivals - Mahavir Jayanti

Liberation of women and gender equality is not the bedrock of Jainism. It grants a woman as much dignity, freedom of thought and opportunity as man. The Jain goal is to attain a liberated state completely free from effects of karma and that is not possible at present in one human life. The awareness and high degree purification is essential for complete liberation. To attain this state it is necessary to halt the impact of karma on the soul and at the same time to eliminate the previously acquired karma that enmeshes the soul. But the only way to attain victory over karma is through further, refined action.

Read more here: » Jainism: Jain Traditions

Jains feel that the values like love, joy and peace can be achieved only through caring for others, understanding the pain of others and reaching out to other human beings. Anger, confusion, egoism and intolerance cause harm to one's self and to the 'other'. But the negative energies suffocate, choke, distress and disturb. Love should not be in the form of words alone. It should reach out to people who need peace, mercy, joy, comfort, sympathy, food, clothing and medicines. This is love in its active, not passive manifestation, but true love is forgiveness for self sake.

Read more here: » Jainism: Forgiveness Is A Virtue

The Jains understand karma, however, in quite a different fashion from the way this is understood in Western philosophy. Karma exists only as the result of the actions of living beings. Jains are most concerned with the human actions, since only human beings have the ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus, the Jains emphasise on karma and this is the recognition that perfect or imperfect condition of each and every person is the result of his own karma.

Read more here: » Jainism: Karma and the Jain Art Of Living

The word Jain originated from Jina , meaning victory, conqueror or liberator. The Jain philosophy centers round 'live and let live '. It embodies the precepts of forgiveness, reconciliation and abiding love, and has never encouraged aggression, in thought, word or deed. The five principal tenets of Jainism are ahimsa, satya, achaurya, aparigraha and brahmacharya (non-violence, truth (reality), abstaining from taking anything that does not belong to you, being chaste and content).

Read more here: » Jainism: The Only True God Is within Us

Eight hundred years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, then a village in Dakshina Kannada. There lived lived a Jain chieftain, Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi in a house called Neliyadi Beedu. They were simple, pious and affectionate people. All knew the Pergade family for its generosity and hospitality.

Read more here: » Jainism: The Legend Of Dharmasthala

Limited availability of resources and their limited potential is everybody's concern. But the Self within a human being has unlimited potential. That's why the concept of self-management is of utmost importance.

Self-management improves efficiency; it bestows peace, cheer and equanimity and equips us to handle the many complexities of life well. Jainism advocates overcoming pesky vices like krodha or anger, mada or vanity, kama or sex and lobha or greed. Jainism recommends the practice of five principal virtues: Ahimsa or non-violence, satya or truth, achaurya or non-covetousness, Brahma-charya or celibacy and aparigraha or non-possession.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

The three fundamental tenets for Jains are: Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. A pursuit of these goals involves modest living, and prescribed behavior such as non-violence and stringent vegetarianism, and also various rituals and acts of devotion ( puja). The worship of images of mortal teachers or Thirthankaras (divinities) is common among Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains alike, but the approach of the Jains to the Tirthankaras differs from that of the other groups.

Read more here: » Jainism: Right Faith, Right Knowledge And Right Conduct