Jainism in a nutshell

What actually is Jainism? Jainism is an ancient religion, which was born in India. The basic tenet of Jainism is liberation from cycle of birth or death. That is the motto behind all the rites and rituals. In order to get rid from the cycles of birth and death, is to shed our karmas. Jainism is basically based on Karmas. The Karma Theory indicates that we carry the baggage of good karmas as well as the bad karmas. Things that we do for the holistic betterment makes our good karmas, and the vice makes the bad karmas. We have to shed all our good as well as bad karmas, to become liberated, or to get rid of the cycles of birth and death. How do we have to be liberated from the vicious cycles, or not build up any karmas? How can we become formless, odorless, divine being? Jainism believes that every being can become a Tirthankara, the ultimate divine life.

There are basically four basic vows which a Jain should follow. Two of them are Ahimsa and Aparigrah. There are five senses, indriyas. There are beings who possess all the senses and some are bestowed with one of them. We are blessed with all five senses and even the ability for their cognition, rather most of us. We should not harm the beings with one sense, or two senses and the rest. How do we have to do that? In Jainism, a commonest phrase is enunciated, Ahimsa Paramodharma. This means that Non-violence is the prime principle; we shouldn’t be so for others as well as for ourselves. The second vow is Aparigrah. We should be ‘minimalists’, in order to live a sustainable life. If two shirts can do well, then why do we need the third one? We need to minimize the ‘karmic footprint’ on this earth. We take an example. Jain followers should not eat the food which shows its edible part under the earth, as it is the dwelling place for several beings. Vegetarian diet is a gross term. All cannot practice the norms toughly. We can manage the norms according to our convenience, but the attempts should reduce the ‘karmic footprint’.

The holiest eight days of Paryushan helps us practice the norms better. Some remain silent for those days, some fast for eight days, incessantly and survive on Luke warm water, and some try to stretch the norms, practically. If we go scientifically, we are aware that UN is taking steps to run the energy demands sustainably. We are trying to reduce the carbon footprint for the environment. On the last day of Paryushan, the Samwatsari, we reflect and reinspect upon our previous deeds and try to rectify our future steps. We gather as congregation, and ask for forgiveness, from the ones whom we might have hurt. We exchange the words and mean it truly.

The words Michhaami Dukkadam means, ‘Forgive me for any wrong doings I have done knowingly as well as unknowingly.’ And, the greeting Jai Jinendra, means the glories to the Ultimate lives. These words and greetings have been probably derived from the Prakrit Sanskrit which was a staple language those days.