It explores their history and relates how the vedic period in the history of hinduism drew to a close around the sixth century bce and how its gradual etiolation gave rise to a number of religious. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. A prathmanuyoga which involves mythological characters and stories of jainism the shastras holy books. History and contemporary information provide evidence of competition and quarrels between the sects. They are kind, benevolent, and religious and lead a harmonious life. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. They are kind, benevolent, religious, and lead a harmonious life. They are not formatted as html documents so they may look a little odd.
Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. The colour of lesya varies from person to person depending on the psychic states and mental activities behind an action. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. History and contemporary information provide evidence of competition and quarrels between the sects over the management of individual sites.
Medieval jain decorative art public domain image jaina sutras, part ii by hermann jacobi sacred books of the east, vol. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Find here a list of selected books on the various aspects of jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras, life and teachings of mahavira and jaina tradition.
It was founded as a reaction against the vedic religion, which required animal sacrifices. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition.
The coloring of the soul is explained through the analogy of crystal. Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta. The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. The theory of colors leshya is one of the most important psychological. Vedas and upanishadas are the most authoritative amongst all hindu scriptures and holy books. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. List of books and articles about jainism online research.
There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. According to jain texts, a person with black leshya will go to hell. The marathi jainism is basically originated from maharashtra and flourished here. It has been over 2500 years since buddhism emerged as a religion, and the unique holistic spiritual healing it gives has seen it getting popular in many other parts of the world. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Holy book and place of worship of sikhism,jainism, buddhism. However, the holy books in hinduism are the basis on which we have evolved our culture and way of living.
Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Holy days, festivals and rituals fasting is the very imporatant part of the jains tradition. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation etc. This text is very useful in understanding the mode of lord mahavirs religious. In digamber jainism the original form there are more than thousands of jain literature books translated and described by numerous saints and people. Once there were six friends, who were going on a trip. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. Lord mahavira is regarded as the last of a line of 24 holy and spiritually enlightened beings, the tirthankaras. The rig veda actually comprises ten books of hymns and prayers to the gods, collected probably about b.
The five bhavas acharya uma swami the jain community is not acquainted with the life story, as with the tattvarthasutra of uma swami, who attained great fame even with a very small volume of written work. Jaina sutras, part ii sbe45 index internet sacred text. Jainism is a religion and philosophy native to india founded in about the 6th century bc by the sage mahavira. List of world religions and founders, religious books. This volume focuses on buddhism and jainism, two religions which, together with hinduism, constitute the three pillars of indic religious tradition in its classical formulation. There is no single scripture as it is in other religions like christianity and islam. The books are for children between the ages of around five to eleven.
Christian believe that there is only one god, but there are three elements to this one god god the father, god the son and the holy spirit. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. In practice, some places are definitely of more importance to svetambaras than to digambaras and vice versa, and these are managed by institutions affiliated to one sect or the other. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina victor referring to the path of victory in crossing over lifes stream of rebirths by destroying karma through an ethical and spiritual life. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more.
In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. Jainworld is a nonprofit taxexempt membership and donationsupported organization dedicated to jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and.
It is considered to be much more than a book, it is deemed to be the living guru of the sikhs. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. These scriptures are known as jain agam or agam sutras. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings and practices of the. It has been over 2500 years since buddhism emerged as a religion, and the unique holistic spiritual healing it gives has seen it. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore.
Once there were six friends who were going on a trip, but along the way got lost in a forest. It was written in the jain prakrit and includes the navkar mantra. Of great significance to the doctrine of jain karma, lesya is recognised as. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. While the majority of pilgrimage places in india are sacred to the followers of hinduism, there are numerous holy sites of other religions such as jainism, buddhism and islam.
The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. In olden times, jain ascetics believe that the religious books and scriptures are possessions and attachments. So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already and had a long tradition. In principle jain holy places are sacred for all the jains. The oldest inscription in maharashtra is a 2ndcentury bc jain inscription in a cave near pale village in the pune district. Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. The primary document of this period is the rig veda, the oldest of indias existing sacred books. Within sikhism, the holy book is called the sri guru granth sahib. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important.
Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the. Outside india, little is known of jainism, one of the oldest religions in. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings and practices of. Likewise, jains also have their own scriptures called agams, also called the jain shrut. Buddhism is a religion known for its rich spiritual teachings, beliefs, practices and traditions. Sruti pronounced shroothee are the holy books within hinduism that are considered to be divinely inspired, and thus infallible and authoritative. Extremely famous jain holy text written in sanskrit in perhaps the fifth century ce. In the jainism, there is a great deal of importance given to the leshya. History, society, philosophy and practice agustin paniker on. The religious scriptures are not followed word to word.
Leshyas in jainism, there is a great deal of importance given to leshya. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism. The following are the most sacred holy books in hinduism. The following illustration shows how our activities vary with the state of our mind. Guru is a sanskrit word for teacher, and within sikhism it is the title given to the 10 spiritual leaders of sikhism dating from 1469 ad to 1708 ad as well as the sri guru granth. This oldest wisdom of mankind is being made available in all the languages for the benefit of humanity with movements like mission 24l. Jainism has no belief in a creator god, though there are a number of lesser deities for various aspects of life. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life.
Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. There are a number of scriptures and holy books in hinduism. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism sacred text of hinduism some important books and writings on hinduism hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma. Christians believe in crucifixion in which god gave his life to resurrect people from their sins and arose again on the third day which is called the resurrection. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. Hinduism part 2 download books, sacred, spiritual texts. The universe is not for man alone, but is a theater of evolution for all living beings. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed.
Lesya, according to the jain theory of karma, is the coloring of the soul on account of its. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book, like the bible or the koran, but it has many books compiled by gandharas and srutkevalis during the 150 years after lord mahavirs nirvan death. He was the chief disciple of kundkund acharya and blessed this land in the last days of the. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Jainisms core belief is ahimsa, or noninjury to all living things. Apr 24, 2007 within sikhism, the holy book is called the sri guru granth sahib. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Find here a list of selected books on the various aspects of jainism, jain history, jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras, life and teachings of. There is hardly a book on jain art that does not contain a painting of this scene, which has become emblematic of jainism. This is volume 45 of the sacred books of the east, part two of the hermann jacobi translation of.
Ahimsa paramo dharmah noninjury is the highest religion. Here, i will give only a brief introduction to the holy books of hinduism. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. The institute of jainology has begun publishing a learn jainism series to support the material on the learn jainism website. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain.