Doctrines of Jainism

Dating back to one of the oldest Hindu religions to be created under the light and guidance of Mahavira was Jainism.  Ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (non-one sidedness), and aparigraha are the motto of this religion. It brought many new aspects and meaningful cosmological connections to humans as they were introduced to a few factors of realism that came to be known as Jainism.

The objectives followed by the Jain culture are unique. They also include adopting mainly vegetarian lifestyle which indicates a minimalist lifestyle. The faith’s main objective is parasparopagraho jivanam (to help other beings grow and become stronger). The Namokar is the commonly sung prayer that must always be performed under any circumstances.

A Small history into Jainism

Jainism states its divine and astronomical ideas through a progression of twenty-four leaders or Tirthankaras. According to tradition, the twenty-third Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, dates to the ninth century BCE, and the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, Mahavira, lived around 600 BCE. Jainism is considered a religion that exists and binds all living organisms to each other into an eternal rule and way of life, with the Tirthankaras proceeding as the astronomical time cycle.

According to sound sources and manuscripts dating before Christ in 600 BCE, Jainism is among the world’s oldest practised faiths. It has two most significant ancient sub-sects, Digambaras and Svetambaras, with differing outlooks, mentality and perspectives on practices, gender, and canonical texts. Both contain mendicants who are supported by followers (sravakas and sravikas). 

Doctrines of Jainism

The Jain ethics are considered sacred in their religion and have been followed very rigorously through centuries, also known as anuvratas or vows for the ordinary followers and the saints and preachers, also called mahavratas or great vows. Through sincere teaching, the followers attain the spiritual goals to lead them onto this path. The paths the followers undertake are:-

• Ahimsa is known as nonviolence, according to a folk tale. Mahaveer once refused to harm mosquitoes that bothered him, saying it was the highest level of unethical duty. So Jainism demands to be non-violent without any excuses, making it the supreme duty of the follower. 
• Satya (Truth):- The followers must always speak the truth no matter any circumstance, discourage others who speak false and stand up to the more significant cause of the truth.
• Asteya:- The value of someone not stealing any item. A follower of Jainism should never take any item forcefully nor give in to the temptation of being materialistic. Therefore, taking any item that is not given to the person willingly is considered a theft and considered a sin of high decree. 
• Brahmacharya – abstinence is considered a necessity of day to day life for preachers or persons renouncing themselves as the saints or the people following the mahavratas. Also, the followers should always stay honest to their partners and never cheat on them, remaining ever faithful to their partners.
• Aparigraha: They are attracted to no one and renounce greed and materialistic possession. Jain nuns and monks give up on possessions like property, own nothing and are attracted to none. Their religion stands in the highest decree of respect and love for them.

Jainism also promotes various other vows, including the guna vratas and the educational vows sisksha vratas. The vow is a religious death ritual that is supposed to reduce the sins in the next life and provide nirvana for the afterlife.

Festivals

Jainism is a down-to-earth religion, so there are fewer festivals and offerings because the belief leads to very simplistic celebrations.

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is celebrated on the 13th day of Chaitra, which is marked as the birthday of Mahavira, generally taking place in March and April. On this day which is widely celebrated in Kundagram, Bihar Jains collect and read religious texts and follow and perform various rites leading to Moksh, which is supposed to provide peace in the afterlife and be free from all kinds of sins.

Paryushana and Dasa Lakshana Parva would be one of the most important festivals celebrated by the svetambaras and digambaras, respectively. Generally, in September, it lasts for eight days and ten days for the svetambaras and digambaras. They fast and read their respective texts of Kalpa sutras and other texts.

Temples

Basadi is the name of the Jain temples. The deity is known as moolnayak. The main hall is considered to be one of the most sacred zones. In India, there are several places with temples dedicated to Jain worshippers like Ellora of Maharashtra and Udaigiri hills in Madhya Pradesh and is spread out all over India. However, a very honourable mention would be the Chaumukha temple in Rajasthan, which is considered one of the most beautiful Jain temples in the whole world.

There are a lot of Jain temples outside India too. Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA are beautiful examples of the spread of religion far and wide. The USA possesses the most number of temples outside India.

Conclusion

The followers of the religion number between four and five million people, most of whom live in India. Outside of India, the more significant part can be found, especially in the US and Europe, with a rapidly expanding community of converts in Japan.  

The current estimate of Jains’ population ranges from 45 lakhs to 1 crore 20 lakh people.