REL 1000 Chapter : Jainism
Document Summary
"non-violence is the highest form of religious conduct: religion of india - developed ~ 2,5000 years ago, reject the caste system, atheistic (no gods, dualistic: Individual soul (jiva) remains after liberation from matter (ajiva) Mahavira: most recent jina (victor, born ~ 599 bce - ruling caste, renounced world & began a journey, enlightened after 12 years, died and was liberated at 72. In 4th century a group went south: northerners began wearing clothes & accepted new scriptures, different views about women. The 5 principles: non-violence (ahimsa, most important, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual purity, monks and nuns are celibate, non-possession, monks & nuns formally give everything away. "fast until death: not considered suicide, the ultimate expression of nonviolence. Important idealized ritual, but not part of the 5. Jain view of the universe: karma, material in nature - binds our souls, thoughts and intentions matter, physical existence.
