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 Jainism
The  is a form of belief and practice of a small but
influential community in India
Religion  is an ascetic religion of India that teaches
the immortality and pilgrimage of the soul,
denies the existence of a supreme being and
emphasizes the art of non-violence
 is a religion of self-help: with out any
outside agency - even god coming to the
rescue of the soul. The soul is its own
destroyer or liberator.

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 The exact place where Jainism started is
not confirmed, but India is most
commonly referred to as the place of
origin.
 Jainism, as a religion, was, at various
times, found all over South Asia including
Sri Lanka and what are now Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Burma and Afghanistan.
 Jainism started out in the sixth century
B.C as a protest against the
overdeveloped rituals of Hinduism. The
actual date is still questioned, but it is
believed that it started no earlier than
850 B.C (7th-5th Century B.C).
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1. Rishabhanata (Adinatha) – Bull
2. Ajitanatha – Elephant
3. Sambhavanatha – Horse
4. Abhinandananatha - Monkey
5. Sumatinatha - Heron
6. Padmaprabha – Padma
7. Suparshvanatha – Swastika
8. Chandraprabha – Crescent Moon
9. Pushpadanta – Crocodile
10.Shitalanatha – Shrivatsa
11.Shreyanasanatha – Rhinoceros
12.Vasupujya - Buffalo
Tirthankaras
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13. Vimalanatha – Boar
14. Anantanatha - Falcon
15. Dharmanatha – Vajra
16. Shantinatha – Antelope
17. Kunthunatha – Goat
18. Aranatha – fish
19. Mallinatha – Kalasha
20.Munisuvrata – Tortoise
21. Naminatha – Blue Lotus
22. Neminatha – Shanka
23. Parshvanatha- Snake
24. Mahavira - Lion
  Vardhamana Mahavira is the most important
figure in Jainism as he was the last in line of
the Tirthankaras.
 He was born in 599 B.C. and died in 527 B.C.
His birthplace was Kundalpur, India.
 His life and teachings were dedicated to the art
of ahimsa or non-violence, which is the central
belief of Jainism.
 He grew up in India where Hinduism was the
Key dominant religion. He accepted the aspects of
Figures Hinduism, but felt that some changes needed to
be made.
of  It was he who built up the Jain Church and laid
Jainism such a firm foundation for it that it has existed
almost unchanged for more than twenty-five
centuries.
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 Jainism: Key Beliefs
 Ahimsa - The central Jain belief is an agreement to avoid physical violence and conduct
that can be mentally and emotionally damaging to oneself or others. It also involves
commitment to all life forms on earth and not engaging in practices which may bring harm.
 Karma – the belief that for every action, there is a consequence.
 Reincarnation – One’s soul that is reborn into different bodies over the course of many
lives.
 Proper Conduct - Jains are encouraged to make a vow to conduct themselves according to
the following principles:
1) Non-violence (ahimsa) 2) Truthfulness 3) Non- Stealing 4) Celibacy 5) Non-possession
 Moksha - Results in the elimination of the effects of karma in one’s life (achieved through
meditation)
 Atomism - Jains believe that every living thing on the planet possesses
a soul or “Jiva”. They also believe that people are bound to act more
compassionately if they acknowledge that everything is composed of a
spirit or soul.
 No absolutes - No perspective of any person is wrong, despite the fact
that different perspectives have different effects on the specific
situation. 6
1. Non-violence (Ahimsa):
- the cardinal principle of Jainism and hence it is known as the cornerstone of
Jainism.
- is the supreme religion (Ahimsa parmo dharma). It is repeatedly said in Jain
literature; "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any
creature or living being."

2. Truth (Satya):
- to always speak the truth in a harmless manner
- to speak the truth requires moral courage

3. Non-stealing (Achaurya or Asteya):

- insists that one should be totally honest in action, thought, and speech. One should
not steal, ask others to do so, or approve of such activities
- To take more than one's need is also considered theft in Jainism

Five Great Vows (Maha-vratas)of Jainism

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4. Celibacy / Chastity (Brahmacharya):
- total abstinence from sensual pleasure and the pleasure of all five senses
- Monks are required to observe this vow strictly and completely
- there are several rules laid down for observing this vow for householders. The
relationship with your own spouse should be of limited nature

5. Non-attachment / Non-possession (Aparigraha):

- one who desires of spiritual liberation should withdraw from all attachments to
pleasing objects of all the five senses
- Monks observe this vow by giving up attachments to all things such as:
Material things: Wealth, property, grains, house, books, clothes, etc.
Relationships: Father, mother, spouse, children, friends, enemies, other
monks, disciples, etc.
Pleasure of Five Senses: Touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.
Feelings: Pleasure and painful feelings towards any objects.

Five Great Vows (Maha-vratas)of Jainism

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The word in the center of the wheel is “Ahimsa” means non-violence. Between these
two, they remind us to stop for a minute and think twice before doing anything. The
wheel in the hand shows that if we are not careful and ignore these warnings and
carry on violent activities, then just as the wheel goes round and round, we will go
round and round through the cycles of birth and death.
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“Live and allow others to live; hurt no
one; life is dear to all living beings.”
Mahavira

“Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and

love lead to more forgiveness and love.”
Mahavira

“Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult,

torment, torture, or kill any creature or living
being.”
Mahavira
“All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures
should not be slain, nor treated with violence,
nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.”
Mahavira

THANK
YOU!
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