Jainism
is one of the oldest religion of world originated
on the Indian subcontinent. Jainism -- or, more
properly, the Jain Dharma -- has prehistoric origins
dating before 3000 BC, and before the beginning
of Indo-Aryan culture. Jainism is all about LIVE
and LET LIVE. It believes in a cyclical nature
of universe. Thus a universe without beginning,
without end and without creator.
Jainism
begins with a serious concern for the human soul
in its relationship with the laws governing existence
in the universe, with other living beings, and
to its own future state in eternity. First and
foremost, it is a religion of the heart- the golden
rule is Ahimsa or nonviolence in all parts of
a person-- mental, verbal, and physical. Jains
have deep compassion for all forms of life whether
they are animals, plants, insects or microbes.
Detailed description and classification of types
of living beings and ways to minimize and avoid
violence against them is given in thousands of
centuries old Jain scriptures..Rishabhdev, the
first Tirthankar (Maker of the Lord) of this cycle
of time, is mentioned in Rig Veda, the oldest
scripture of Hinduism believed to be at least
5000 years old.
The
objective of Jainism is to strive for Moksha or Liberation
from unending cycles of Birth, Death and Re-birth. One
who is liberated is called as Siddha. A Siddha is a
soul which has achieved it's original state of infinite
bliss and power etc. Every Jiva (living being) has the
potential of becoming a Siddha and therefore God. Jainism
does not believe in God as the creator of universe.
God is a liberated soul (Siddha) who has attained Moksha.
A role model as well as a teacher. Every human being
and every living being for that matter has the potential
to attain Moksha and thus become God. Philosophical
principles of Anekantvad (Non-absolutism or Multi-sidedness)
and Satyadvad (Relativity of truth) are unique only
to the Jain system of thought. Karma theory has its
roots in Jainism and is thoroughly explained.
It
is a belief, mentioned in Jain scriptures, that it is
only the soul who earns the pious bond of the Tirthankar-nam-karma
through a very high level of penance and meditation,
can attain the status of a Tirthankar. During one descending
cycle of time there may be innumerable omniscients but
only twenty-four Tirthankars. A Tirthankar is not an
incarnation of the God. He is an ordinary soul that
is born as a human and attains the states of a Tirthankar
as a result of intense practices of penance, equanimity
and meditation. As such, the Tirthankar is not defined
as an Avatar (god-incarnate) but is the ultimate pure
and developed state of the soul. Thus he may be called
as the God in human form. The last of the 24 Tirthankars
of this cycle of time was Lord Mahaveer who lived between
599 and 527 B.C.E leaving behind the essence of eternal
happiness.
