Jains have few core symbols. One Jain symbol incorporates a wheel on the palm of the hand. The holiest one is a simple unadorned swastika or svastika. Major Jains symbols include: 24 Lanchhanas for Tirthankaras The Ashta-mangalas Om Triratna and Shrivatsa symbols. The dreams of Tirthankara's mother Dharma-chakra and Siddha-chakra ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Jain Symbols

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Jainism and other religions

It has been advanced that the pervasive influence of Jain culture and philosophy in ancient Bihar gave rise to Buddhism. The Buddhists always maintained that by the time Buddha and Mahavira were alive, Jainism was already an ancient and deeply entrenched faith and culture in the region. For a discussion about the connections between Jainism and Buddhism see Jainism and Buddhism. At 4 to 5 million adherents, Jainism is among the smallest of the major world religions, but in India its influence is much more significant than the n ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

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Jainism (pronounced in English as /ˈdʒeɪ.nɪzm̩/), traditionally known as Jain Dharma (जैन धर्म) , is a religion and philosophy originating in the prehistory of South Asia. Now a minority in modern India with growing communities in the US, Western Europe, Africa and elsewhere, Jains have continued to sustain the the ancient Shraman (श्रमण) tradition. Jainism has significantly influenced the ethical, political and economic spheres in India for well ...

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Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology Jainism - Beliefs and practices Jainism - Jain Symbols Jainism - Jain Literature Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions Jainism - Geographical spread and influence Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology Jainism - Holy sites Jainism - Jain Temples in the West Jainism - Holy days Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia - Jainism

Idol worship, caste and ascetic austerity had no place in Nanak's religion. He believed in one God, Ek Omkar ; singing His praises was the best way of devotion. He advocated listening to kirtan or hymn singing and set his compositions to music in suitable ragas or melodies.

Nanak was 27 when he went out to spread the Name of God expounding the message of 'true path'. With Mardana as companion, he travelled throughout the country, going as far as Tibet in the north and Sri Lanka in the south. He even visited Mecca. Wherever he went, his hymn-singing drew large crowds. Mardana would faithfully reproduce notes on the rabab as Nanak sang his way to the hearts of the listeners.

(See also: Nanak, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Nanak: Nanak's Musical Path to Ananda  

Post-industrial revolution, developed nations acquired dominant control over world resources. But industrial pollution began to threaten the environment. Powerful nations became more of a threat than sources of strength, as they had their eyes on economic empire-building.

Mahavira said that the one who rejects the people and the world, rejects his own existence; and the one who rejects his own existence rejects the existence of the world.

He said: "Do not reject the existence of the world and do not reject your existence as well. The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element. When you do something for yourself you must know your action/s will impact the entire world." So what can an individual do? How do his actions affect the rest of the world?

(See also: Mahavira, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Mahavira: Mahavir's Thoughts On Economics  

According to Jain tradition, among the 12 types of penances, the first four - anshan (fasting), unodari (eating less), vritti-sankshepa (selective eating) and rasa-parityaga (taste-selection) - are particularly good for health.

Fasting is more than mere abstinence from food. US scientist Selton says: "Food intake leads to accumulation of toxicants in the body which adversely affect health". Fasting is one way of getting rid of toxic substances from the body since it provides rest to the digestive system. A faulty digestive system can have a negative effect on the functioning of the respiratory system, leading to breathing problems.

(See also: Paryushan Parva, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Paryushan Parva: Festival of Fasting - Paryushan Parva  

Although ancient Jain scientific thought is not so well known, it 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. Karma, according to the Jains, is paudgalika or of material nature. By its linkages with body and thus with the outer world, the soul is literally penetrated with material particles of a very subtle kind.

(See also: Jain Philosophy, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

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In addition, various Christian denominations have separate holy cities: List of holy cities - Armenian Apostolic. Echmiadzin List of holy cities - Roman Catholicism. Rome and Vatican City, Center of the Catholic Church, and site of the four Major Basilicas that are required to be visited to gain a Roman Jubilee Santiago de Compostela Site of the tomb of St. James the Greater Santo Toribio de Liébana where the largest single p ...

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List of holy cities, List of holy cities - Assyrio-Babylonian, List of holy cities - Ayyavazhi, List of holy cities - Bahá'í, List of holy cities - Buddhism, List of holy cities - Tibetan Buddhism, List of holy cities - Christianity, List of holy cities - Armenian Apostolic, List of holy cities - Roman Catholicism, List of holy cities - Eastern Orthodox, List of holy cities - Anglicanism, List of holy cities - Protestantism, List of holy cities - Latter-Day Saint Mormonism, List of holy cities - Confucianism, List of holy cities - Ancient Egypt, List of holy cities - Ancient Greece, List of holy cities - Hinduism, List of holy cities - Jyothirlingams Shaivism, List of holy cities - Kumbh Mela sites, List of holy cities - The Shankara Mathams, List of holy cities - Subrahmanya Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Ranganatha Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Islam, List of holy cities - Shia, List of holy cities - Sufism, List of holy cities - Jainism, List of holy cities - Judaism, List of holy cities - Shintoism, List of holy cities - Sikhism, List of holy cities - Taoism

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In addition to the cities listed above the following are holy cities for some Islamic sects: List of holy cities - Shia. Najaf site of the tomb of Imam Ali in Imam Ali Mosque, who the Shi'a consider to be their founder. Also site of Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery. Karbala tomb of Husayn bin Ali in the Mashad al-Husain Mashhad site of burial of Imam Reza Qom site of the shrine of Fatima Masoumeh, sister of Imam Reza. Also site of Jamkaran mosque. List o ...

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List of holy cities, List of holy cities - Assyrio-Babylonian, List of holy cities - Ayyavazhi, List of holy cities - Bahá'í, List of holy cities - Buddhism, List of holy cities - Tibetan Buddhism, List of holy cities - Christianity, List of holy cities - Armenian Apostolic, List of holy cities - Roman Catholicism, List of holy cities - Eastern Orthodox, List of holy cities - Anglicanism, List of holy cities - Protestantism, List of holy cities - Latter-Day Saint Mormonism, List of holy cities - Confucianism, List of holy cities - Ancient Egypt, List of holy cities - Ancient Greece, List of holy cities - Hinduism, List of holy cities - Jyothirlingams Shaivism, List of holy cities - Kumbh Mela sites, List of holy cities - The Shankara Mathams, List of holy cities - Subrahmanya Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Ranganatha Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Islam, List of holy cities - Shia, List of holy cities - Sufism, List of holy cities - Jainism, List of holy cities - Judaism, List of holy cities - Shintoism, List of holy cities - Sikhism, List of holy cities - Taoism

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List of holy cities - Tibetan Buddhism. More important then anything inherent to the places is the presence of the holiest leaders, the highest lamas, who are considered reincarnations of their predecessors. Lhasa, seat of the Dalai Lama (now in exile in Dharmsala, India) in the Potala palace, also national (and under Chinese rule regional) capital of Tibet Shigatse, seat of the Panchen Lama, also the country's second city Tsurphu, (later in exile Rumtek in Sikkim, India), seat of t ...

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List of holy cities, List of holy cities - Assyrio-Babylonian, List of holy cities - Ayyavazhi, List of holy cities - Bahá'í, List of holy cities - Buddhism, List of holy cities - Tibetan Buddhism, List of holy cities - Christianity, List of holy cities - Armenian Apostolic, List of holy cities - Roman Catholicism, List of holy cities - Eastern Orthodox, List of holy cities - Anglicanism, List of holy cities - Protestantism, List of holy cities - Latter-Day Saint Mormonism, List of holy cities - Confucianism, List of holy cities - Ancient Egypt, List of holy cities - Ancient Greece, List of holy cities - Hinduism, List of holy cities - Jyothirlingams Shaivism, List of holy cities - Kumbh Mela sites, List of holy cities - The Shankara Mathams, List of holy cities - Subrahmanya Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Ranganatha Kshetram's, List of holy cities - Islam, List of holy cities - Shia, List of holy cities - Sufism, List of holy cities - Jainism, List of holy cities - Judaism, List of holy cities - Shintoism, List of holy cities - Sikhism, List of holy cities - Taoism

Read more here: » List of holy cities: Encyclopedia II - List of holy cities - Buddhism

List of holy cities - Jyothirlingams Shaivism. Bhimashankar Deogarh Dwarka Grishneshwar Kedarnath Omkareshwar Rameswaram Somnath Srisailam Trimbakeshwar Ujjaini (Avantika) Varanasi (Benares) List of holy cities - Kumbh Mela sites. Haridwar Nashik Prayag Ujjaini (Avantika) The Mahamaham at Kumbakonam

According to Jain beliefs, the universe was never created, nor will it ever cease to exist. It is eternal but not unchangeable, because it passes through an endless series of cycles. Each of these upward or downward cycles is divided into six world ages (yugas). The present world age is the fifth age of one of these "cycles", which is in a downward movement. These ages are known as "Aaro" as in "Pehela Aara" or First Age, "Doosra Aara" or Second Age and so on. The last one is the "Chhatha Aara" or Sixth Age. ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology

Decipherment of Brahmi James Princep in 1788, permitted reading of ancient inscriptions in India, which established the antiquity of Jainism. Discovery of Jain manuscripts, a process that continues today, has added significantly to retracing the history of Jainism. Jain archaeological findings are from Maurya, Sunga, Kushana, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya, and Rajput and later period. Several western and Indian scholars have contributed to the reconstruction of Jain history. They include western historians like Bühler, Jacobi, and Indian scholars like Iravat ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology

On one hand, there are the monks, who practice severe asceticism and strive to make this birth their last. On the other hand, there are the lay people, who pursue less rigorous practices, striving to attain rational faith and do good deeds in this birth. Due to the strict ethics embedded in Jainism, the laity must choose a profession and livelihood that does not involve violence to self and other living beings. In their effort to attain their highest and most exalted state of being a Siddha, which is the permanent release of the jiva ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Beliefs and practices

Archaeological evidence such as various seals and other artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1500 BC) has been cited by some scholars as attesting to the faith's roots in pre-Indo-Aryan migration India. (Refer to the discussion page as well as the 'specialized sources', below.) Decipherment of Brahmi by James Princep in 1788, permitted reading of ancient inscriptions in India, which established the antiquity of Jainism. Discovery of Jain manuscripts, a process that continues today, ha ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology

Jains have built temples where images of their Tirthankaras are venerated. Jain rituals can be elaborate and include offerings of symbolic objects, with the Tirthankaras being praised in chant. In some Jain sects, temples and images are not required. Every day Jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the Navakar Mantra. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship. Jain worship may or may not involve temples. The sadhumargi Shvetambar Jains and the followers of Shrimad Rajachandra sect do not have temples. The Taranpanthi J ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

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Jain philosophy is a codification of eternal universal truths, which at times lapse among humanity, but later reappear through the teachings of human beings who have gained enlightenment or omniscience (Keval Gnan). According to tradition, Lord Rishabha (ऋषभ, sometimes pronounced as रिषभ) was the first to realize those truths in this place and time cycle. More recently were Lord Parshva (877-777 BCE) and Lord Vardh ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma

It is generally believed that the Jain sangha became divided two major sects, Digambar and Shvetambar, about 200 years after the nirvana of Mahāvīr. Bhadrabahu, chief of the Jain monks, foresaw a period of famine and led about 12,000 people, to southern India. Twelve years later, they returned to find that the Svetambar sect had arisen. The followers of Bhadrabahu became known as the Digambar sect. The Digambar monks do not wear any clothes because they believe Lord Mahavira did not wear any clothes and clothes are possessions, ther ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions

While the Jains are only 0.4% of the Indian population, their contributions to culture and society in India have been considerable. The Jains are among the wealthiest of the Indians. They are also among the most philanthropic, they run numerous schools, colleges and hospitals. They have been the most important patrons of the Somapuras, the traditional temple architects in Gujarat. Jains have greatly influenced the cuisine of Gujarat. Gujarat is dominantly vegetarian, and its dishes all have pleasing and soothing aromas due to ...

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Jainism, Jainism - Overview of Jain Dharma, Jainism - Universal History and Jain Cosmology, Jainism - Beliefs and practices, Jainism - Jain Symbols, Jainism - Jain Literature, Jainism - Jain Worship and Rituals, Jainism - Digambar and Shvetambar Traditions, Jainism - Geographical spread and influence, Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture, Jainism - Jainism and Indian Archaeology, Jainism - Holy sites, Jainism - Jain Temples in the West, Jainism - Holy days, Jainism - Jainism and other religions

Read more here: » Jainism: Encyclopedia II - Jainism - Jain Contributions to Indian Culture