THE WAY OF THE JAINAS – AND IT’S IMPACT ON THE MODERN WORLD

Among all the ancient religio-spiritual traditions of India, Jainism – or the religion of the jains – can be considered to be highly scientific, rooted in sound philosophy and reason, easy to understand and based on perception and experience. Though followed by a mere about 5 million population today, mostly in India, it has a history that believedly almost co-incides with that of Hinduism, making it one of the oldest organized religions of the world.

Jainism, founded by a chain of 24 tirthankaras (prophets) - which began with Rishabh dev (also known as Adinath) and ends with Vardhmana the Mahavira, who for all practical purposes is considered it’s founder and strengthener - is a religion of non-violence, ascetism and austere simplicity. Jainism is the science of perfecting the soul.

Jainism teaches utmost concern for all other living beings, including plants and animals, and non-violence is the most emphasized principle of the religion. Killing even a tiny insect is a great sin. This shows the reverence of life in all it’s forms and to it’s greatest extent. Although it is non-theistic in the sense that it denies the premise that the universe was created by a divine Deity, but it divinizes the soul (the essence or consciousness of a person) to an extent where it becomes as powerful as GOD (Supreme Being) himself. It is rightly said that ‘Jiva’(Individual unique soul) of Jainism is much more powerful than ‘Parmatma’ (Supreme Cosmic Soul) of Hinduism. 

Soul or ‘Jiva ‘is very essential to Jainsim, and it is believed that this soul has infinite power, bliss, perception and knowledge. But it is weighed down by it’s karma and can not reach the heights it deserves. These karma are in the form of tiny, impure particles, which enter the soul and do not allow it to rise up.  The aim of life is to make the soul get rid of these impurities so that it again goes back to it’s home (the abode of absolute bliss).

These can be done in two steps – first the incoming matter can be stopped by following the three jewels of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct ; and then the already existing matter can be destroyed by following austerities and self mortification.

This is the way shown by the Jinas, or the Super Heroes who have conquered themselves. Thus Jainism gets it’s name from Jina. It can also be called the skill of conquering one’s passions, negativities and desires. It is the art and science of conquering oneself. Jainism is the way by which soul’s entanglement with the matter can be destroyed forever, and hence supreme peace achieved.

Jainism believes in an eternal universe, without a beginning or an end, which is composed of Jiva (Life) and Ajiva (Matter). Both the entities are independent of each other. Soul suffers because it is involved with matter.   

JAINISM’S CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN SOCIETY AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MODERN MAN

Jainism’s implications for the modern man are numerous. The virtues of non-violence and peace are being increasingly accorded as ‘symbols of civility’ and ‘marks of civilization’. It is one of the important aims of even the UNO to promote brotherhood and cordial relations between nations of the world.

Kindness towards animals is gaining acceptability among intellectuals and even the common masses. The whole range of animal activism and prevention of cruelty towards animals organizations, which are coming up across the world are it’s indicators.

Mahatma Gandhi faught for freedom through the potent weapons of truth and non-violence. Non-violence was an idea which he largely borrowed from Mahavira swami. He himself says Jainism made a deep impact in his life. Thus the old virtue of non-violence, which was discovered by the Jains, was repackaged and used by the Mahatma as a potent weapon in the struggle for Indian independence. The idea of Gandhi was later used in other parts of the world for non-violent struggles.

Jainism epitomized non-violence and made it the life force of Indian subcontinent. It institutionalized Ahimsa in the Indian set up and made it the integral part for all times to come. Animal sacrifice was abolished owing to strong resentment from the Jains. Today many Hindus may aver the idea of killing even an insect or cutting down a tree, this is largely a Jain impact.

The Jains and the Buddhists were the first to write down literature. We know more about those times today because of those literary records. It has indeed richened our history. The entire Jain history forms a glorius chapter in the life of Indian civilization. The life and teachings of Lord Mahavira and other Jain prophets have indeed inspired thinkers, intellectuals and men of thoughts and reason. The jain community though small in number but has an influence disproportionate to it’s strength and continues to influence the Indian thought, value system and way of life in various ways.

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