Jainism-- Definition, Beliefs, Diet, Facts & History

Jainism, the ancient Indian religion places a strong emphasis on self-control and non-violence as paths to spiritual liberation. Jainists believe in a succession of spiritual leaders called tirthankaras, with the last one being Mahavira. The fundamental principles of Jainism are ascetic disciplines including self-discipline and meditation, enlightenment and spiritual cleansing, vegetarianism and avoiding root vegetables like onion and garlic, Karma and the cycle of rebirth, and non-violence (ahimsa) to achieve soul freedom. Jainism is a beautiful ancient Indian religion and in this post, we will give insightful information about its history, beliefs, facts and so much more. So, let's get started. 

History of Jainism

Here is a brief history of Jainism:

·       In the fifth and fourth century BCE, an Indian religious reform movement gave rise to Jainism.

·       Named after "jiva," which means the soul or life force, the religious system is founded on the notion that all living beings possess an immortal soul that can be freed from suffering via adherence to Jain teachings.

·       Even though Mahavira is frequently credited as founding Jainism, the religion's tenets are said to be timeless and were acknowledged by 23 sages prior to Mahavira.

·       Jainism was able to survive and draw followers as a result to the royal sponsorship of powerful nations like the Mauryan Empire. It also resisted attempts by Christian missionaries to spread Christianity in the 19th century CE and is still a thriving religion today.

·       Between the 12th and 16th centuries CE, Jain monks were killed and the temples were destroyed or converted into mosques by the invading Muslims, who persecuted the religion.

Currently, Jains are the least populous of India's six main religious sects, comprising only 0.4% of the country's total population. Jains are mainly found in Maharashtra and other western regions of India. Remaining Jains in the East are few. Compared to all Indians, Jains are wealthy and have received higher levels of education.

Interesting Facts About Jainism

Here is the list of some interesting facts about Jainism:

1.       Jainism is one of the world's oldest religions, having its roots at least 2,500 years ago in India.

2.       Getting out of the cycle of rebirth and arriving at "moksha," or an all-knowing state, is the spiritual goal of Jainism.

3.       A group of twenty-four teachers, including Gautama Buddha's contemporary Vardhamana Mahavira, contributed significantly to the continuation of Jainism.

4.       Self-control, meditation, and an ascetic lifestyle were stressed by both Mahavira and Buddha as the means of salvation.

5.       Of the six major religious groups in India, Jains are the smallest, comprising only 0.4% of the country's total population.

6.      The majority of Jains live in Maharashtra in western India, even though the religion's historical roots are in eastern India.

7.       Jains believe in not harming other kinds of life, which is why almost all of them are vegetarians.

8.       Despite the theoretical distinctions between Jain and Hindu principles, Jains believe they have much in common with Indian Hindus.

9.       Asceticism (aparigraha), non-violence (ahimsa), and non-absolutism (anekantavada) are the three primary principles of Jainism.

10.   Jains believe that all living things, including germs, plants, and animals, have souls and according to their principle, every soul has the capacity to reach nirvana.

11.   In Jainism, karmas are really particles that adhere to the soul. Karma is the reason for suffering in the world, but it isn't a kind of condemnation or retribution; rather, it's just the inevitable result of our deeds, words, and thoughts—whether good or bad.

In Jainism, What Foods Are Avoided?

Jain people avoid the several foods which we have listed down below:  

- Meat, Fish, And Eggs: Because Jainism practice non-violence towards all living beings, Jains do not eat meat, fish, or eggs. Eating these foods results in animal abuse.

- Root Veggies: Due to its increased microbial content, Jains steer clear of root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, beets, radish, etc. Eating root veggies means destroying the plant as a whole.

- Onions And Garlic: Since they grow underground, Jains avoid eating onions and garlic. These require violent treatment of the plant to harvest.

- Mushrooms: Since they grow underground, Jains steer clear of them.

- Animal Ingredients: Since animal abuse occurs when gelatin and honey are consumed, Jains abstain from consuming these foods.

- Fermented Foods: Due of its higher microbiological content, Jains steer clear of fermented foods.

- Foods Containing Seeds: Jains steer clear of foods containing seeds, therefore, they avoid such foods like eggplant as it has a lot of seeds.

- Stale Food: Jains stay away from meals that have gone bad or have been processed excessively.

Jainism Vs Hinduism

Based on their respective philosophies, Jainism and Hinduism differ in the following ways:

- Gods: The teachings of the Jinas (conquerors of the inner emotions) are highly valued in Jainism, and does not acknowledge any Hindu deities.

- Rites And Customs: Hinduism and Jainism follow very different rites and customs.

- Cosmology: Jainism holds that the universe is eternal and neither created nor destroyed, whereas Hinduism holds that the universe is formed and destroyed in cycles.

- Salvation: Hinduism views salvation as the result of devotion to a personal deity or ultimate reality, but Jainism views liberation as the result of one's own efforts.

- Scriptures: The scriptures of Jainism and Hinduism are not recognized by one another.

While there is difference between Jainism and Hinduism in many significant respects from one another, both religions share certain important commonalities as well. Both hold the ideas of samsara and karma to be true. Both Jainism and Hinduism hold that reaching moksha, or liberation, is the ultimate goal. Both religions place a high value on compassion and non-violence, as well as the idea of an afterlife. Both recognize the value of self-control and spiritual disciplines, as well as the significance of spiritual purification. Both religions place a high value on an individual's spiritual development.