JAINISM

What is Jainism ?
Jainism is the earliest religion of the universe. The word Jina literally means one who has conquered ( inner passions) like desire and hatred. Jainism is preached by Jina. Formely this religion was also known as nirgrantha religion a religion of one who has got rid of all knots.

Jainism is one of the major religious traditions to originate in ancient India. Like Buddhism, Jainism developed at a time when people were questioning the established norms of social conduct and religious ideology. Jains do not believe in a creator, god who punishes or rewards. Instead the emphasis is on human responsibility, with each individual soul being responsible for its own spiritual progress. Jainism teaches equality of all souls, regardless of creed, caste or gender. The basic principles stress non-violence (ahimsa), care for life in all its forms and many-pointedness (anekantavada) which affirms that reality can be viewed from a number of different perspectives Ahimsa & vegetarian is the most widely known of these principles, familiar to many people through the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Jainism is the earliest religion of the Universe. The word Jina literally means one who has conquered (inner passions) like desire and hatred. Jainism is thus named, for it is preached by Jina. Formely this religion was also known as Nirgrantha religion, a religion of one who has got rid of all knots.
A Jina is variously mentioned by the Jains as Arhat, Arhant, Arihant, Tirthankara etc of these the word Tirthankara has a special significance. It implies one who is the founder of the four-fold order of monks and nun's and of lay followers, male as well as female. A Tirthankara is its supreme law-giver.
Of the 24 Tirthankara who were born in this sacred land of India, Rishab was the first. He was not only the first Tirthankara who preached religion, he was also the first sovereign monarch of rule and taught people about household duties. Of the many things he taught, mention maybe made of the art of thrashing out grains, cooking and making earthen pots. Rishab after living worldly for many years renounced the world and took to penance and preaching. As he was the first of the Tirthankaras he is also known as Adinath or Adideva, foremost among the Tirthankaras. Mahaveer,was the last Tirthankara.
The Vows for Tirthankars:
As already mentioned that a Tirthankara is the founder of the four fold order of monks and nun's and of lay followers, male and female. Of these four, the sadhus or the monks are held in highest respect. They live a hard and strenuous life after renunciation. They observe the five great vows of Mahavratas. These are ahimsa (not to kill). Satya (not to lie), Achauryya (not to steal), Brahmmacharya (to abstain from sexual relation) and Aparigraha (to renounce all interest in worldly things) these vows are strictly to be observed by the monk's i.e. in speach, in mind and in deed until their death. They should be of kind disposition and of even mind towards all beings Himsa implies not only killing but also toruchering or forcing a living creature to act against his will. Monk's not only observe this form of ahimsa themselves, but also do not advice anybody to do such acts which cause death or injury to any living organism nor approve of such acts, if others do it . This is the first great vow and is known as Ahimsa or Pranatipata Viramana.
Not to Lie is the second great vow this is knows as Satya or Mrishavad Viramana. Monks always what is true in case a truth uttered causes pain or death to a living being they should remain silent and anger greed fear and joke are the breeding grounds of untruth, monks should not yield to anyone of these. This vow is also to be observed by them completely i.e. in speech, in mind and in deed. They themselves will not utter what is not true nor approve of it.
The third great vow is Achauryya or Abstention from theft. This is known as Adattadana Viramana. Monks are required to observe this vow completely so that they not only desist from appropriating things ungiven to them in villages or towns but also desist from picking up wild fruits in the forests. They themselves do not appropriate anything nor ask another to appropriate nor approve of it. Moreover, they are also advised to keep vigilance so that they may not take more, when accepting alms, than what they strictly require. To take more than one's requirement is also theft.
The fourth great vow is Brahmmacharyya or Maithuna Viramana abstention from sexual relation monks are required to observe this vow strictly and completely. They themselves will not sexual pleasures nor ask another to do the same nor approve of it.. If they had any experience of pleasure in their past domestic life, they will not now think of it and observe this vow strictly to the letter. As this vow is very difficult to maintain, they are advised not to sit on a cushion or a bed used by a women nor take palatable dishes which may rouse their passion and observe such other rules. They must lead a hard life.
The fifth great vow is Aparigraha Viraman-renunciation of all interest in mundance things. Monks are required not to have attachment to anything-wealth property grains or house what ever it may be. They themselves should not keep such things nor ask another to keep them nor approve of it. By giving up all attachments to the objects of sound, sight, smell, taste and touch, in all ways and by all means they observe this vow.
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