Jainism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Jainism often is seen as very similar to Hinduism and Buddhism, since all three religions preach the doctrine of achieving 'moksh' or release from the recurring cycle of reincarnation. Jainism, however, differs significantly in its conception of the universe and soul and in its conception of life and death. The author points out Jainism's central doctrine of 'ahimsa,' or non-violence, non-action, and non-attachment, is based on Jainism's worldview that there is too much violence and suffering involved in the continuous cycle of birth and death. The paper relates that Jainism helps its followers overcome the fear of death by projecting the promise of a state of eternal bliss, painting a rather divine picture of liberated souls rising through the universe to inhabit the 'siddha loka,' which is not 'the heaven' as understood by many world religions, but rather a place above the highest heaven at the very top of the universe.

From the Paper:

"According to Jain doctrine, the universe is composed of both dead (ajiva) and living (jiva) matter. However, jiva and ajiva matter are not disparate. In other words, jiva matter contains ajiva elements, and the ajiva, jiva elements. The idea that living and dead matter are intermingled is an important one in understanding Jain doctrine, for it forms the very basis of the religion's conceptualization of ahimsa and the cycle of reincarnation."

More papers on Jainism:

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• Analytical Essay # 133801 : "Buddhism and Jainism"
• Analytical Essay # 141123 : "Buddhism and Jainism"
• Analytical Essay # 141031 : "Jainism vs. Buddhism"

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