🧘Intro to Indian Philosophy Unit 3 – Jainism: Key Concepts and Emergence

Origins and Historical Context

• Jainism emerged in ancient India around the 6th century BCE during a period of religious and philosophical ferment
• Developed as a reaction against the ritualistic and hierarchical practices of Vedic Brahmanism
• Originated in the Ganges basin region of northern India (modern-day Bihar and Uttar Pradesh)
• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is considered the founder of Jainism in its current form
  • Born into a royal family in ancient India (around 599 BCE)
  • Renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and became an ascetic
• Jainism shares some common roots with Buddhism, as both traditions emphasize non-violence, asceticism, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth
• Spread throughout India and beyond, with significant Jain communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka
• Jainism has a rich history of patronage from merchants and traders, who found its emphasis on non-violence and ethical business practices appealing

Core Principles of Jainism

• Ahimsa (non-violence) is the central tenet of Jainism, which extends to all living beings, including animals and plants
  • Jains follow a strict vegetarian diet and avoid harming any living creature
  • Ahimsa also encompasses non-violence in thought, word, and deed
• Anekantavada (non-absolutism) asserts that reality is complex and can be viewed from multiple perspectives
  • Encourages respect for diverse viewpoints and promotes intellectual humility
• Aparigraha (non-attachment) emphasizes the importance of detaching oneself from material possessions and worldly desires
• Satya (truthfulness) stresses the importance of speaking and living truthfully, even in difficult circumstances
• Asteya (non-stealing) prohibits taking anything that has not been freely given, including intellectual property and natural resources
• Brahmacharya (celibacy) is practiced by Jain monks and nuns, who abstain from sexual activity to focus on spiritual pursuits
• Jains believe in the inherent equality of all souls and reject the caste system, promoting social justice and equality

Key Figures and Texts

• Tirthankaras are the 24 enlightened teachers who have attained omniscience and serve as spiritual guides for Jains
  • Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara, is believed to have lived millions of years ago
  • Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, is considered a historical figure who lived in the 9th century BCE
• Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, is the most prominent figure in Jainism
  • His teachings form the basis of the Jain canon, known as the Agamas
• The Agamas are the primary scriptures of Jainism, containing the teachings of the Tirthankaras
  • Divided into two main branches: Svetambara (white-clad) and Digambara (sky-clad)
  • The Tattvartha Sutra, written by Umaswati, is a later text that summarizes Jain philosophy and is accepted by both sects
• Other important Jain scholars and philosophers include Kundakunda, Haribhadra, and Hemachandra, who contributed to the development of Jain thought
• Jain literature also includes extensive works on mathematics, astronomy, and logic, reflecting the tradition's emphasis on knowledge and rational inquiry

Ethical and Philosophical Teachings

• Jainism emphasizes individual responsibility for one's actions and their consequences (karma)
  • Karma is seen as a subtle matter that adheres to the soul and determines future rebirths
  • The goal is to purify the soul by eliminating all karmic matter through right conduct, knowledge, and faith
• The doctrine of Syadvada (maybe-ism) reflects the Jain belief in the relativity of truth and the limitations of human perception
  • Encourages the use of qualifying statements (syat) to avoid dogmatic assertions
• Jains believe in the eternal and uncreated nature of the universe, rejecting the idea of a supreme creator deity
• The concept of Loka (the cosmos) in Jainism consists of three realms: upper (heavens), middle (earth), and lower (hells)
  • Souls transmigrate through these realms based on their karmic accumulations
• Jainism posits a dualistic universe composed of living (jiva) and non-living (ajiva) substances
  • Jiva refers to the eternal, conscious soul, while ajiva includes matter, space, time, and the principles of motion and rest
• The ultimate goal in Jainism is to attain moksha (liberation) by freeing the soul from the cycle of rebirth
  • Achieved through the practice of the Three Jewels: right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
• Jain ethics emphasize the cultivation of virtues such as forgiveness, humility, and contentment, while avoiding vices like anger, pride, and greed

Jain Cosmology and Metaphysics

• Jainism envisions a cyclic and eternal universe without beginning or end
  • The universe is divided into three parts: upper (urdhva loka), middle (madhya loka), and lower (adho loka)
  • The middle world, where humans reside, is the only realm where one can attain liberation
• The Jain concept of reality is based on the existence of six fundamental substances (dravyas)
  • Jiva (living substance or soul), pudgala (matter), dharma (medium of motion), adharma (medium of rest), akasa (space), and kala (time)
  • Each substance has its own inherent qualities (gunas) and modes (paryayas)
• Jain metaphysics asserts the independent existence of both spirit (jiva) and matter (pudgala)
  • Jivas are infinite in number, eternal, and capable of consciousness and bliss
  • Pudgala is composed of atoms (paramanu) and is the basis for the physical world
• Karma in Jainism is considered a form of subtle matter that adheres to the soul, obscuring its true nature
  • There are eight main types of karma, each affecting the soul in different ways (knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, feeling-producing, deluding, lifespan-determining, body-determining, status-determining, and obstructive)
• The Jain path to liberation involves the gradual removal of karmic matter through austerities, meditation, and adherence to the ethical principles of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha
• Jain cosmology also includes the concept of Siddha Loka, the realm of liberated souls who have attained moksha and exist in a state of pure consciousness and bliss

Practices and Rituals

• Jain practices and rituals aim to purify the soul and promote non-violence, detachment, and self-discipline
• The Mahavratas (Great Vows) form the basis of Jain ascetic life and are followed by monks and nuns
  • Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession)
  • Lay Jains follow a less strict version of these vows, known as the Anuvratas (Small Vows)
• Jain meditation focuses on contemplation of the soul, the nature of reality, and the teachings of the Tirthankaras
  • Techniques include Preksha Dhyana (perception meditation) and Kayotsarga (bodily abandonment)
• Fasting is an important aspect of Jain practice, believed to purify the soul and develop self-control
  • Paryushana is an annual 8-10 day festival involving fasting, meditation, and listening to spiritual discourses
• Jain worship (puja) involves offering prayers and symbolic gifts to the Tirthankaras in temples and shrines
  • Worship is not directed at a supreme god but rather serves as a means of self-purification and inspiration
• Pilgrimage to sacred Jain sites, such as Shatrunjaya and Girnar in Gujarat, is considered spiritually meritorious
• Jains also engage in charitable activities, such as operating animal shelters, hospitals, and educational institutions, as a means of practicing ahimsa and compassion

Influence on Indian Philosophy

• Jainism has significantly influenced Indian philosophical thought, particularly in the areas of ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
• The Jain concept of Anekantavada (non-absolutism) has contributed to the development of philosophical pluralism in India
  • Encourages the acceptance of multiple viewpoints and the avoidance of dogmatism
  • Influenced the development of the Buddhist doctrine of Madhyamaka (Middle Way)
• Jain theories of knowledge (Jnana) and perception (Pratyaksha) have contributed to Indian epistemology
  • Jains recognize five types of knowledge: mati (sensory), shruta (scriptural), avadhi (clairvoyant), manah-paryaya (telepathic), and kevala (omniscient)
  • Jain philosophers have engaged in debates with other Indian schools, such as Nyaya and Vaisheshika, on the nature and validity of knowledge
• The Jain emphasis on ahimsa (non-violence) has had a profound impact on Indian ethical thought
  • Influenced Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha)
  • Contributed to the development of vegetarianism and animal welfare movements in India
• Jain cosmological and metaphysical ideas, such as the concept of the soul (jiva) and the theory of karma, have parallels in other Indian philosophical traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism
• Jain logic, particularly the Syadvada (maybe-ism) theory of conditional predication, has influenced the development of Indian logic and dialectics
• The Jain tradition of scholarship and learning has contributed to the preservation and transmission of ancient Indian texts and knowledge systems

Modern Relevance and Global Presence

• Jainism remains an important religious and philosophical tradition in modern India, with millions of adherents worldwide
• Jain principles of non-violence, ecological harmony, and ethical business practices have gained renewed relevance in the face of global challenges such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic exploitation
• Jain meditation techniques, such as Preksha Dhyana, have been adapted for modern audiences and are practiced by Jains and non-Jains alike for their mental and physical health benefits
• Jain philosophy's emphasis on multiple viewpoints and non-absolutism has resonated with postmodern thinkers and contributed to dialogues on religious pluralism and interfaith understanding
• Jain diaspora communities, particularly in North America and Europe, have played a significant role in promoting Jain values and practices beyond India
  • Jain centers, temples, and organizations have been established in major cities worldwide
  • Jain scholars and practitioners have engaged in academic and cultural exchanges, fostering cross-cultural understanding
• Jain ethics have influenced contemporary discussions on animal rights, environmentalism, and sustainable living
  • Jain-inspired movements, such as the Jain Vegans and the Jain Declaration on Nature, advocate for compassionate and eco-friendly lifestyles
• Jain business leaders, such as the Sahu Jain family and the Chandaria family, have demonstrated the compatibility of Jain principles with successful entrepreneurship and philanthropy
• The Jain tradition's resilience and adaptability have enabled it to remain relevant and vibrant in the modern world while maintaining its core values and practices