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3. Jainism A. Mahavira (c. 599 -527 B. C. E.) 1. last of 24 Tirthankaras (crossing builders) who established Jainism as it exists today
2. his father was a minor ruler and his family was wealthy; he married and had a daughter; yet he was unhappy
3. after meeting a group of wandering ascetics, he longed to join them but waited until his family responsibilities were fulfilled
4. joined the wandering ascetics but came to believe a more severe asceticism was needed to achieve release as well as the practice of ahimsa (non-injury to life) and meditation
5. After 12 years he achieved moksha and he devoted the next thirty years of his life to helping others to achieve release
B. Teachings 1. dualism > the world is comprised of two substances: soul (jiva) and matter (ajiva)
2. matter clings to the soul because of karma > past actions
3. goal > to achieved release through the practice of asceticism, non-injury to life and meditation
4. since only men can liberate themselves there is no need for gods, worship. etc.
C. The Five Vows 1. Ahimsa 2. always tell the truth 3. take only what is given 4. renounce sexual pleasures 5. renounce all attachments to people and things - the majority take the first three vows - the monks take all five vows
D. Jain Sects 1. Agamas > Jain scriptures
2. Svetambara (white clad) - most popular sect found primarily in northern India; interpret the Agamas liberally - allow women adherents and nuns as women are believed capable of achieving moksha
3. Digambara (sky clad) - found mostly in the south and is conservative - women are considered man’s greatest temptation and not capable of moksha - women are not allowed into temples and monasteries
4. Sthanakvasi - broke off the Digambara in 1473 - oppose idols and temples and accept only 3 of the 84 Agamas
E. Jainism Today - 4.2 million adherents and over 40,000 temples - worship focuses on the 24 Tirthankaras and the Jinas (saints) - most worship conducted in the home - economically, a very successful group
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