📿World Religions Unit 5 – Jainism and Sikhism

Key Concepts and Beliefs

• Jainism believes in non-violence (ahimsa) towards all living beings, including animals and insects
• Jains practice strict vegetarianism and avoid harming any living creature
• The ultimate goal in Jainism is to attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth by eliminating all karma
  • This is achieved through a combination of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
• Jainism holds that the universe is eternal and uncreated, operating according to natural laws without divine intervention
• Jains believe in the existence of an infinite number of eternal souls (jivas) that are bound by karma
• The Jain concept of anekantavada promotes the idea of multiple viewpoints and the relativity of truth
• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that believes in one God, known as Waheguru, who is the creator of the universe
• Sikhs believe in equality, justice, and service to humanity, regardless of caste, gender, or race

Historical Origins and Development

• Jainism originated in ancient India, with its roots dating back to the 6th century BCE
• The religion was founded by Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of the current era
  • Mahavira was born into a royal family but renounced worldly life at the age of 30 to seek spiritual enlightenment
• Jainism grew alongside Buddhism and Hinduism, sharing some common concepts but maintaining distinct beliefs and practices
• Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent during the 15th century
• The religion developed under the guidance of ten successive Sikh Gurus, the last of whom, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, declared the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, as the eternal Guru
• Sikhism emerged as a response to the social and religious tensions between Hinduism and Islam, emphasizing the unity of God and the equality of all people
• The Sikh community faced significant persecution during the Mughal Empire and later under British colonial rule, leading to the development of a strong martial tradition and the establishment of the Khalsa order

Sacred Texts and Scriptures

• The primary sacred texts of Jainism are the Agamas, which consist of 45 texts divided into six categories
  • The Agamas contain the teachings of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras, covering topics such as philosophy, ethics, and cosmology
• The most important Jain scripture is the Tattvartha Sutra, a concise summary of Jain doctrine written by Acharya Umaswati around the 2nd century CE
• Jain scriptures are written in various languages, including Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Apabhramsa
• The central scripture of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, a compilation of hymns and writings by the Sikh Gurus and various saints from different religious backgrounds
  • The Guru Granth Sahib is considered the living Guru and is treated with the utmost respect in Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship)
• Other important Sikh texts include the Dasam Granth, a collection of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the Janamsakhis, biographical accounts of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's life

Religious Practices and Rituals

• Jain monks and nuns follow a strict ascetic lifestyle, practicing meditation, fasting, and non-violence
• Lay Jains engage in daily prayers, meditation, and visits to temples to venerate the Tirthankaras
• Jains celebrate several festivals throughout the year, such as Paryushan, an eight-day period of fasting, meditation, and forgiveness
• The most important Jain pilgrimage sites are the hills of Shatrunjaya and Girnar in Gujarat, India
• Sikh religious practices center around the gurdwara, where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and read continuously
• Sikhs participate in daily prayers, meditation (simran), and the singing of hymns (kirtan)
• The Khalsa initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanchar) is a significant rite of passage for Sikhs, involving the drinking of sweetened water (amrit) and the adoption of the Five Ks (external symbols of faith)
• Important Sikh festivals include Vaisakhi, which marks the birth of the Khalsa, and Gurpurabs, which celebrate the birthdays of the Sikh Gurus

Ethical Teachings and Moral Principles

• Jainism emphasizes the practice of non-violence (ahimsa) in thought, word, and deed towards all living beings
• Jains follow five main vows: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy (for monks and nuns), and non-attachment to worldly possessions
• Jainism encourages the cultivation of virtues such as forgiveness, humility, and self-control
• The Jain principle of aparigraha promotes a life of simplicity and minimal consumption to reduce one's impact on the environment
• Sikhism stresses the importance of living a moral and ethical life, guided by the principles of truth, compassion, and contentment
• The three pillars of Sikhism are Naam Japna (meditating on God's name), Kirat Karni (earning an honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others)
• Sikhs are encouraged to engage in selfless service (seva) to the community, such as providing free meals (langar) to all visitors to the gurdwara
• Sikhism condemns social evils such as caste discrimination, female infanticide, and the mistreatment of women

Major Figures and Leaders

• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is the most important figure in Jainism, revered for his teachings and attainment of moksha
• Other significant Jain figures include the remaining 23 Tirthankaras, such as Parshvanatha (the 23rd Tirthankara), and influential scholars like Acharya Kundakunda and Acharya Hemachandra
• In Sikhism, the ten Sikh Gurus are the most revered figures, with Guru Nanak Dev Ji being the founder and first Guru
  • Each subsequent Guru made significant contributions to the development of Sikhism, such as Guru Angad Dev Ji (the second Guru) who introduced the Gurmukhi script, and Guru Arjan Dev Ji (the fifth Guru) who compiled the Adi Granth
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, is particularly important for establishing the Khalsa order and declaring the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru
• Other notable Sikh figures include Bhai Gurdas, a scholar who recorded the early history of Sikhism, and Banda Singh Bahadur, a military commander who led the Sikh resistance against Mughal rule

Comparison with Other Religions

• Jainism, like Buddhism, emphasizes the attainment of liberation through individual effort and the practice of non-violence
  • However, Jainism places greater emphasis on asceticism and the doctrine of multiple viewpoints (anekantavada)
• Jainism shares some concepts with Hinduism, such as karma and reincarnation, but rejects the authority of the Vedas and the Hindu caste system
• Sikhism, like Islam, is a monotheistic religion that stresses the unity and oneness of God
  • However, Sikhism rejects the concept of divine incarnation and emphasizes the equality of all people, regardless of religious background
• Sikhism incorporates elements of both Hindu and Islamic traditions, such as the belief in karma and reincarnation, and the emphasis on devotion and remembrance of God
• Sikhism's rejection of caste distinctions and its emphasis on social justice and service to humanity sets it apart from the Hindu caste system and the Islamic concept of jihad

Modern Influence and Global Presence

• Jainism has a relatively small following, with an estimated 4-5 million adherents worldwide, primarily concentrated in India
• Despite its small numbers, Jainism has had a significant impact on Indian culture and society, particularly in the areas of art, architecture, and literature
• Jain principles of non-violence and compassion have influenced modern Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and have contributed to the development of the Indian independence movement
• Sikhism is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, with an estimated 30 million adherents worldwide
• The Sikh diaspora has led to the establishment of Sikh communities in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States
• Sikhs have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, science, and the military
  • For example, Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, and Har Gobind Khorana, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, are both Sikhs
• The Sikh commitment to social justice and human rights has inspired the creation of various Sikh-led charitable organizations, such as Khalsa Aid, which provides humanitarian aid to people in need worldwide