The Organisation and Religion to Re-unite All Religions

JAINISM

 

The 1960’s in the United States to many was, the time where we were closest to anarchy. Of course, those people deserve to be in the heat of anarchy. To everyone else it was a time of re-awakening. Escaping the realm of family and home and perfect little job, it was a time for new ideas. Another thing came out of this time period and it was the hippies and the deadheads. Little did they know, and still today, that they are a good example of Jains.

Jainism is believed to have been born around 3000 B.C., making it one of the first organized religions in the Asian culture. In the 5000 years of its existence, it has never once, in recorded history, wavered from its non-violence stance. Never once has one heard of a violent monk of Jainism.   

Jains are the most extreme in the religion, from naked monks to fasting to death. These are very simple people, rejecting meat and all materialistic objects. Sometimes, even the women do not marry nor have children, living each day to survive and reach one of the 30 celestial heavens. They believe all mortals are in bondage, some of their own demise, and they must fight the wars of self to be free and at peace of mind. They also are the creditors of most Asia art.

 

Jainism fundamentals are a mix of Hindu, Christianity, and Buddhism. It is hard to sum up Jainism in just a few paragraphs, this is as culture one could specify in and still not know everything towards the end of their physical life. The basics though would be the same with all beliefs. Do bad things; get bad karma, in this life and the next. Do good things; get good karma, in this life and the next. They do believe in a heaven though, actually, thirty of them. Jinas are actually scientists as well as philosophers and devoted followers. They have a strong connection and love for the world outside our magnetosphere. It has been proven a few times that like animals, Jains can sense a disaster before it happens and get to safety.

 Jainism accepts tolerance of all beliefs and religions, unless these beliefs cause harm to one person or another. Jains have always corporate well with the surrounding Hindus and Buddhists, as shown in the above picture. Ellora cave holds carvings with representations of all three of the religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Jainism has been very lucky though; very little violence has been inflicted upon them. There was a massacre by Assyrians, but other than that, there is very little violence with evidence to proof today.

 

I cannot say if I helped you understand Jainism any better, but I did try. Just remember it is a religion based on love, compassion, art, science, tolerance, and non-violence. They value the universe over everything, including family and friends, and reject worldliness to the extreme.

 

Sources and Credits
Written by Sarah R. Goettge
28/04/05