Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. Asian humanities pressthe wonderful book that originally turned me on to jainism jainism in western garb as. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. This festival honors the 15th century reformer lonka. The legendary accounts of mahaviras life preserved by the jain scriptures.
Karma the mechanism create your own fate hermann kuhn. Selected brief writings covering topics of interest. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or. Collection of complete texts by jain scholars from around the globe. We buy back jainism books too via our buyback facility. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. It teaches that the universe is eternal and that every living being. Learn the basics of jainism as well as the beliefs and practices of one of the oldest religious traditions of india. We offer this service to make it even easier to read more books without the need to keep them all. What the 1918 influenza pandemic meant for american churches. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at. It was written in the jain prakrit and includes the navkar mantra the first marathi inscription known is at shravanabelagola, karnataka near the left foot of the statue of.
Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. The jain path of purification was, in addition to the previous work, one of the very first books of its kind to be authored by a jain for the education of those unfamiliar with the jain worldview and way of life. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Virchand gandhi is considered a key figure in the history of american jainism as the first practicing jain to speak. The marathi jainism is basically originated from maharashtra and flourished here. Universe runs own its own accord by its own cosmic laws. It was founded by prophet zoroaster in ancient iran approximately 3500 years ago.
Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Jains commonly use the words siddhanta and agama, which are panindian terms. Long is the author of three booksa vision for hinduism 2007, jainism. These beliefs are furthermore classified as eastern religions. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. An introduction 2009, and the historical dictionary of. Jaina is partnering with gujarati community of north america. Ahura mazda revealed the truth and teachings through zoroaster. Angels, the holy books of islam, prophets, judgment day, predestination and the sharia. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. Do any of the native american religions have a holy book. Jnan panchami takes place five days after diwali and is celebrated in reverence for jain scriptures, the agamas. Adherents of jainism first arrived in the united states in the 20th century. Many of these scholars are in fact hostile to the very subject. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Jain path of purification by padmanabh jaini university of california press, 1979 motilal banarsidass publishers, 1990 recommended 5 times guidelines of jainism by muni bhadrabahu vijay 1986 life force. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira.
Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Or of jains sweeping the ground in front of them to ensure that living creatures are not inadvertently crushed. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Hence large elements of west african, particularly yoruba, religion blended with catholicism can be found in religions such as vodun also known as voodoo haiti, candomble brazil and santeria carribean. The west african area is important because this is where the majority of slaves departed for the new world. Indian religion is a classification for beliefs that began in the indian subcontinent. Yes, indians can be christians and muslims too, out here catholics, presbyterians, and mormons have a strong standing, other than that you still have many many traditonals followers of the old ways around.
I am interested in taking diksha for my own salvation, but i am also highly interested in during the process becoming wellversed in the ancient jain texts, so that i can relay them to englishspeaking audiences, and in becoming well versed in communicating traditional jain meditation practices and other mentalphysical sadhanas. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview. Jain texts expound that there are ten life essentials or lifeprinciples, these are. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more.
Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god. Appears in 6 books from 19521999 page 221 but apart from the posssibility of a relapse, it would be impossible to go through all the 14 stages one after the other because a direct transition from the first stage to the second is out of question and the llth stage is not directly passed before the 12th to the 14th. Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. On this day, fasting, meditation, atonement, worship of the holy books, and holy recitation take place. Major religious holy days american university, washington, dc.
With lots of other titles to choose from, it couldnt be easier to buy jainism textbooks online. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor. In hinduism, gods are worshiped in several ways and for several reasons such as knowledge, peace, wisdom, health, and it also believed to be ones duty to pray god as god is considered as our maker as we originated from them and we are staying in them and at last will. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions britannica.
Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Most of them are very scholarly and recount the doctrines in a clinical manner, sometimes without any insight. These are said to be based on the discourse of the tirthankara, delivered in a samavasarana divine preaching hall. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Zoroastrianism is one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. Long jainism evokes images of monks wearing facemasks to protect insects and micoorganisms from being inhaled. The latter term means what has come down to us or tradition. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible.
Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Ahinsa ahinsa, ahinsa, ahinsa, avihinsa in jainism is a fundamental principle forming the cornerstone of its ethics and doctrine. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website. Do any of the native american religions have a holy book or. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email.
Noninjury to all living beings is the only religion. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice. List of books and articles about jainism online research. Ahimsa does not merely indicate absence of physical violence, but also indicates absence of desire to indulge in any sort of violence. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. The institute of jainology has begun publishing a learn jainism series to support the material on the learn jainism website. The word canon for the jain holy writings is increasingly felt to be inadequate, for it implies an unchanging body of texts sanctioned by a central authority.
A holy man reading the guru granth sahib, the holy book of sikhism. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches way to liberation by living the lives of harmlessness and renunciation. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. The essence of jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of universe itself. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. Major religious holy days 20192020 academic year this is a partial list of some major holy days of those traditions listed below.
Almost every school of religious thought and belief has its own central texts to guide its followers. Because we are not, in another sense the only indians who have holy books are those who are either christian or muslim from what ive seen. Buy cheap jainism textbooks online jainism textbook rentals. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. Jainism evokes images of monks wearing facemasks to protect insects and micoorganisms from being inhaled. Long is professor of religion and asian studies at elizabethtown college, where he has taught since receiving his ph. It is perhaps the most comprehensive and concise book of its kind, and few books on jainism are as. Feb 03, 2011 because we are not, in another sense the only indians who have holy books are those who are either christian or muslim from what ive seen. The oldest inscription in maharashtra is a 2ndcentury bc jain inscription in a cave near pale village in the pune district. The books are for children between the ages of around five to eleven. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Zoroastrians believe that there is only one god called ahura mazda wise lord and he created the world.
Download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf ebooks. List of world religions and founders, religious books. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place. Holy days noted in bold are widely considered to be major holy days within the religious tradition, and are most likely to be times when an adherent would engage in religious observations. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time.
Karma is an invisible force in hinduism, whereas in jainism it is a form of matter which can stick to the soul. Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of worlds. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. Asked in the bible, bible statistics and history, new testament what books in the bible were named after girls. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations and by creating or fostering a religious community. The term ahinsa means nonviolence, noninjury and absence of desire to harm any life forms. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda.
868 368 860 641 497 817 1266 464 791 1462 779 350 1135 1488 689 1277 766 11 515 915 1482 550 1372 646 1513 561 798 295 689 850 902 252 1328 962 154 1423 1159 17 1330 316 322 558 1320