RLGA01H3 Chapter : RLGA01 Reading notes Jainism.docx
Document Summary
Following the jain path means you must withdraw from all aspects of the world. Jinas" are the people who have accomplished finding eternal happiness by conquering attachment to the world and the most recent of this is mahavira. Jainism is a tradition that expresses itself through the worship and following of the jinas who are also known as the tirthankaras" which means the builders of bridges across the ocean of samsara. The starting point of a jina life to turn his back to the world is to start leading a life of nonviolence and self-discipline. They live by the path of ahimsa paramo dharma" which means nonviolence is the supreme path. The reason to live like this and adapt to this is because through this we slow down the accumulation of karma. They also recognize that everything has a soul ( jiva") When jains are attached to things, they prevent themselves from knowing their true self.