Jain

World Religions

Jainism

Cuso Ramos

HUM/130

March 27, 2011

Doc Z

Jainism

Society today worships in many different ways and forms, but we must admit that some are very familiar to us such as Christianity, Judaism, Catholics, Protestants, etc., This paper will discuss a religion that seemed very interesting called Jainism, which can often times get confused with that of the religion Hinduism. This paper will discuss the origins of Jainism, where it is practiced, what their beliefs are, and additional questions that will be mentioned throughout this paper.

Jainism believes that the universe and all its substances or entities are eternal; therefore to them there is no beginning or end when in respect to time. There is no need for someone to create or manage the affairs of the universe. The Universe can run on its own accord and by its own cosmic laws. According to Patheos (2008), "[Hence Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, or destroyer of the universe. However, Jainism does believe in God. When a living being destroys all his karmas, he possesses perfect knowledge, vision, power, and bliss. He becomes omniscient and omnipotent. This living being is a God of Jain religion” (Jainism Origins, para. 1-8).

Since Jains do not believe in one God; in Jain religion are innumerable and the number is continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation. Every living being has a potential to become God of the Jain religion. While travelling on the path of spiritual progress, a person destroys all eight types of his karmas in the following sequence. “Jain philosophers have divided Bhav karma into eight primary classes (and 93 sub classes). Since Karma created from an activity, this division is based on the activity involved:

Destructive (Ghatiya) Karmas

1. Knowledge obstructing Karma Gyanavarniya Karma

2. Intuition (vision) obstructing Karma Darshanavarniya Karma...