Jainism

Overview

• Over 5 million followers in India• Highest creed is non-violence• Jina means conquered• Like Buddhism, emerged in response

to Hinduism

The Tikthankaras

• Died so many times that they shed their evilness• Conquered Samsara• Act as guides to perfection• Rishabhadeva, Ajitanatha, and Aristanemi

Rishabhadeva

Views of God

• Atheist• Rejects notion of monotheistic

Judeo-Christian God• Can’t reconcile Judeo-Christian God

with the problem of evil

Criticism

• Are Buddhism and Janism an ancient form of Nihilism?

The Soul

• Believe everything in the universe has a soul• Even non-Conscious (ajiva) objects have

souls (ex. A rock possesses a soul)• Humans made up of both Ajive and Jiva• Formed and unformed matter

Focus on Epistemology

• Five types of knowledge: • Mati-jnana• Shruta-janana• Avadhi-jnana• Manaparyana-jnana• Kevala-jnana

The art of Manaparyana-jnana (Mind reading)

Jain Metaphysics

• Karma• Hell• Heaven

Practices

• Avoid all killing• Cover mouths so as to avoid killing

bacteria in the air• Ensure never to step on bugs• Vegetarian