Core beliefs
Jainism is the ancient teaching of Jina (conqueror or victor), someone who has achieved the highest spiritual liberation by conquering the inner enemies such as Anger, Pride, Deceit and Greed. Jains believe in the infinite universe; that there is no creator, saviour, or destroyer of the universe and that there is no supreme power which gives you pleasure or pain. Each thought going through our mind, each physical action, and each word spoken binds good or bad karma to the soul. It is these karmas that results in pleasure and pain. Therefore, Jainism is a religion of self-help; our destiny achieved through our own deeds. Jains consider the soul (Atma) and the body as two separate entities. The body is considered dead when the soul leaves, but soul is eternal and do not die. Instead, it takes another birth after leaving the body.
Jains believe the universe is filled with an infinite number of souls which go through a continual cycle of birth and rebirth, changing the type of body according to their karma, only released from this cycle when they attain liberation (Moksha). Jains are guided on the path to Moksha by the Three Jewels – Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct. The principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) is at the heart of the Jain way of life. This is why Jains are vegetarian and hold little attachment to possessions; stealing and lying are not permitted and sexual restraint or celibacy is encouraged. Self-control (Sanyam) in thoughts, speech and action follow these principles.
Jainism is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. It has two major ancient sub-traditions: Digambara (where the monks do not wear clothes) and Svetambara (which has white cladded monks and nuns). The Svetambara tradition has two sub-traditions; Deravasi (where worship is done in front of the Tirthankar’s idol) and Sthanakavasi (worship is done without the Tirthankar’s idol).
Jain scriptures have a recommended religious routine that includes daily meditation (Samayik) and prayers, pilgrimage, respect for spiritual teachers, repentance for any misdeeds (Pratikraman) and fasting.
Jains consider fasting as a process of repentance for any misdeed or harming any living being due to their activities in daily living. A day’s fasting means no eating or drinking from sunset the day before, drinking only boiled water from sunrise to sunset on the day, and then no eating and drinking during the night until the next morning. One may fast any day one wishes and especially during some religiously important days such as Paryushan (an eight-day repentance and fasting period during August/September every year).
Jainism’s supreme religious scriptures are called Agams. They contain sermons and teaching of Tirthankars/Jinas and deal with spiritual advice on how to lead a non-violent life and liberation of the soul. They are composed in a set of 45 books. Artifacts: Some may have Tirthankar’s idols or pictures in their home. A string of beads (Mala) is used to chant Mantras during meditation. All texts and artifacts are to be treated with respect.
Jains are not strict about medication but will avoid medicines derived from animal products or developed by testing animals. Suicide/euthanasia is considered a sin. Termination of pregnancy is not permitted.
Religious care is considered as Spiritual care – it is the care of the soul. Jainism believes that prayers and repenting for any sinful activities sheds karma and leads to a better life in the next birth.
Jains may want to know the components and development of medications to assure themselves about animal welfare. Being vegetarian, Jains avoid taking medicines containing animal products.
There are no religious objections to blood transfusions or receiving organs – being a donor is in fact encouraged.
Women prefer to cover from upper body to the feet. During prayers, white is the preferred colour to wear, with black totally avoided.
Jains may wish to brush their teeth before breakfast and wash themselves with flowing water and rinse their mouth before reciting prayers.
Jains follow the lunar calendar (in the same way as Hindus). A month in the lunar calendar is of 29 to 30 days, meaning there are around 255 days in a year. To synchronise with the solar calendar, a month is added every third year. Jain festival days are laid to follow the Lunar calendar.
The birthday of Mahavira is celebrated as Mahavira Janma Kalyanak in Spring.
A period of eight days (Paryushan) when Jains observe fasting and seek forgiveness for any misdeed during the year occurs in August / September.
Diwali is the last day of the Jain year; lights are lighted to commemorate Lord Mahavira’s death and the liberation of his soul (Nirvana). It is in October / November · New Year’s Day follows Diwali.
Jains prefer same gender wards and personal care.
Prayers are chanted in a baby’s ear immediately after birth. Termination of pregnancy is not permitted; this is considered a sin due to the harming of potential human life.
Close family and friends will wish to remain at the patient’s bedside and may read from religious texts. Prayers are offered for the soul of the patient. The patient will seek forgiveness for misdeeds during their life. This is to free the soul from karmas attached due to misdeeds and offer peace of mind before death.
If a post-mortem is necessary, the need for it should be carefully explained, as Jainism requires the body to be cremated at the earliest opportunity. There is no objection to organ donation. Family, friends, and acquaintances join the mourners to offer their support and condolences.
Jain diet is specified as follows: vegetarian (no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs); no root vegetables (no potato, onion, garlic, carrots etc.); no mushrooms (being a fungus); no alcohol. Some may follow a vegan diet with no root vegetables nor mushrooms. It is important not to contaminate food for a Jain with non-permitted foods in the preparation area.
The strictest followers will not eat or drink between sunset and sunrise.
Jains consider it their duty to help their relatives or friends when they are unwell. It is an accepted custom and routine amongst Jains to visit the sick person to offer emotional and physical help and support.
Disability is not considered as pitiful. Jains encourage disable persons to be self-supportive.
Jains prefer visitors to remove their shoes, mainly for cleanliness and hygiene.