A Jain is noun used to identify things related to Jainism or Jain Dharma. for example: A follower of Jainism is known as a Jain. A food cooked as per guidelines of Jainism is known as Jain Food. Other related archivesJain, Jainism, Jains

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Jain:

An adherent of Jainism, an Indian religion traceable to Mahaaveera of the 6th century BC. Jains will not kill a living thing, not even an insect, believing fervently that all life is God. Jainism is still a minor religion in India today.

(See also: Jain, Body Mind and Soul)

Jain:

Jain. Adherent of Jainism, Indian religion traceable to Mahavira of the 6th century B.C.

(See also: Jain, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

Jainism: Tension of Opposites Central to Existence

According to Acharya Mahaprajna, opposition is a fundamental rule for existence. "There is no type of existence in which opposites do not co-exist. In a sense, existence may also be defined as the coming together of opposites. It is the principle of the quest for unity between two apparently different characteristics of a substance. It tries to point out that the characteristics which differences have, also have an identicality. Reconciliation, which is a principle of anekant , comes about only with the recognition of the identity principle.''

Read more here: » Tension of Opposites: Tension of Opposites Central to Existence

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

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

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

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 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

The Jain philosophy of Anekantavada (multitude beliefs) tells us that there are no absolute theories or formulae that can describe reality in absolute terms. Rather, our belief of Anekantavada tells us that we do not know the complete truth. We can learn from others as well. Let truth prevail, say Jains . Truth in its final analysis is wholesome and one, which leads us to love and understanding. And that is the very necessary essence of all religions.

Read more here: » Jainism: Let Truth Prevail

Even though the basic principles of Jainism are framed from the religious and spiritual point of view, you can find scientific reasons for them.
Food should be ecological, evolutionary and ethical. They are supposed to drink boiled water only. As per Jain religion sour and spicy food is rajasik. Only satwik food keeps the mind clean, makes you samatabhavi, gives you equanimity. Alcohol, vinegar, molasses and wine and even honey is forbidden.

Read more here: » Jainism: Pure And Simple Life

Studying Jain holy scriptures, I found I could draw a parallel between the behaviour of matter or non-living substance and the soul which is a living substance. Souls are infinite in number: Some are pure and liberated; others are unliberated and live a bodily or embodied existence.

Pure souls possess properties or characteristics comprising infinite knowledge, vision and bliss and are quite different from unliberated, mundane, souls which have limited knowledge through mind and sense organs, experiencing birth and death.

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

The word Jain has been derived from Jina, which means conqueror, implying one who has overcome all human passions. The Tattvarth Sutra, a book of supreme wisdom, was written by Umaswati, Kundkundacharya's disciple.

The opening aphorism of Tattvarth Sutra talks about enlightened faith, knowledge and conduct leading to final emancipation. The enlightened faith comprises Jiva or life, Ajiva or non-life, Asharva or flow of karma, Bandha or bondage of karma, Samvar or shedding of karma-particles and Moksha.

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