Jainism by BRODY TENA

Beliefs

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1. The universe They believe that the universe has and always will exist

2. Karma belief in events affecting future events

History

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Jainism doesn't have a single founder. The truth has been revealed at different times by a tirthankara, which means a teacher who 'makes a ford' i.e. shows the way. Other religions call such a person a 'prophet'.

At a glance

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Jainism is an ancient religion from India Most Jains live in India, and according to the 2001 Census of India there are around 4.2 million living there. However, the Oxford Handbook of Global Religions, published in 2006, suggests that census figures may provide lower than the true number of followers as many Jains identify themselves as Hindu. The Handbook also states that there are around 25,000 Jains in Britain.

Subdivisions

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1. Women :Digambaras believe that women cannot achieve liberation without first being reborn as a man.

2. Scriptures :Digambaras and Svetambaras disagree as to which books constitute Jain scripture

Symbols

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The upper portion indicates heaven, the middle portion indicates the material world and the lower portion indicates hell.

Texts

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The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are the canonical literature - the scriptures - of Svetambara Jainism.

Customs

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Fasting Jain fasts may be done as a penance, especially for monks and nuns. Fasting also purifies body and mind, and reminds the practitioner of Mahavira's emphasis on renunciation and asceticism, because Mahavira spent a great deal of time fasting.

Celebrations

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This festival celebrates the day of Mahavira's birth.

Jains will gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of Mahavira.