JONALYN L.

MIRAMBEL
AB-Political Science IV
Comparative Religion
9:00-10:30 (Tth)
December 07, 2021
Activity: FINALS
Questions:

1. Discuss briefly the three main pillars of Jainism, and what is your insight regarding this?

Before I briefly discuss the three (3) main pillars of Jainism allow me to first discuss what is
Jainism and the reason why the pillars are integral to the religion. Jainism as an ancient and one
of the oldest religions originated in India, have prescribe to the belief that their actions affects the
future of their current life and their future rebirths. Jains believe karma is like a substance or
particles of matter, like an atom that are accumulated or attracted by souls based on one’s
actions. Jains are strictly manifesting the good behavior and right conduct that is why they are
extremely careful in avoiding accumulation of karma because it is thought to have a massive
impact to their soul. To avoid accumulating karma, the Jainism religion have these three main
pillars or the foundation of the beliefs in Jainism; Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-
attachment), and lastly the Anekantavada (non-absolutism). These three ethical pillars are the
central or core beliefs in Jainism.

Ahimsa ( Non-violence)

Ahimsa is the first principle pillar in Jainism. Ahimsa is the belief in non-violence towards
all living creatures. Jains deeply believe that all of the creatures deserve to live and grow and to
kill any living thing has negative consequences to one's karma. Jains also feel that negative
words and thoughts can also injure another and thus adversely affect their karma. This belief in
non-violence in all forms towards all living things is the supreme principle and very crucial in
Jainism. Jains are taught to do good and respect each creature who has life and all living things
must live in peace and harmony. Furthermore, Ahimsa is the conscious decision to live our lives.
In the midst of turmoil, chaos, pain and adversity, in bad times, Jains have been encouraged to
maintain their focus and connection with the divine self and manifest peace and bliss. It also
means to keep one’s mind unagitated and calm in situations of misery and happiness, gain and
loss, victory and defeat etc. Lastly, Ahimsa as one of the core beliefs in Jainism, Jains believe
that none violence is the highest religion and for someone who wants to achieve moksha or the
end of the rebirth cycle then you need to stop harming other lifeforms even the microscopic one.

Aparigraha (Non-attachment)

The second principal pillar in the Jainism religion is Aparigraha. Aparigraha is the belief that
a person should detach or depart his or herself from all the worldly things and people and cut
ulterior desire to any material things that the world offer. Because the desire for earthly pleasures
drives people to become sinful and greedy. Also, not being weighed down by possession or
unnecessary attachments to people, places and things. Jains beliefs is that you must free yourself
from attachments and other desires in order to achieve peace of mind.

Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism)

The third pillar is the Anekantavada or non-absolutism or the principles of plurality of

viewpoints which means that the ultimate truth and reality is complex that is why we have to see
situations in different angles, perspective and point of views to form the ultimate reality and
unleashed the truth, because the truth is made up of with different viewpoints and no single view
points can be the truth, Jains believe that the full truth is made out of bunch of viewpoints. Each
person has a perception of the world which is a mix of both truth and ignorance that is why Jains
have wide respect and tolerance of other world views.

2. Why did Jainism not so popular among the most of the people

There are numbers of reason why Jainism is not popular and underrated among other major
religions. One of the main reasons why Jainism can never become a popular religion because of
its asceticism. Jainism as a religion is very hard to follow you have to be very serious and
committed when it comes to your faith because they have the most strict and stringent laws to
follow for example; Jains have strictly followed the Ahimsa or non-violence which means they
must not harm any living things the reason why most of them are usually barefooted and used to
sweep the ground in front of them with soft brooms and/or wear masks to avoid accidentally
harming any insects or small creatures, which I think it is impossible to never harm any living
things especially those that are not visible in our naked eyes I am pertaining to microorganisms.
Another thing is Jains diet is very hard to follow they are strictly vegetarians and also do not eat
root vegetables and some type of fruits. Aside from that Jains believe in non-attachments or
abandonment of all the negative practices such as anger, lust, greediness, desire for acquiring
wealth, money, power, prestige, etc. now as mankind is becoming more contemporary and
modern the mankind is becoming more into material pleasures that the world offers which is
literally hard to resist and I think most of the people would not want a life full of restrictions
hence, this is one of the main reasons why its followers decrease slowly and have not spread
worldwide.

Another reason is that Jain monks are not allowed to ride on any vehicles to avoid harming
any living creatures. Whatever distance they travel barefooted, they are not allowed to cross in
flowing water or step in any bodies of water. I think this is one of the major reasons why Jainism
is not popular to people because their monks have travel restrictions which results for not
spreading the teachings of Jainism.
 Lastly, I think the goal of Jainism is not to become the most popular or even become
popular worldwide and spread their teachings but, their main goal lies on their own beliefs which
is to achieve liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth and attain moksha.