The Jain literature which was complied by Ganadharas and Srut-kevlis is known as Agam literature. These texts are the holy scriptures of the Jain religion. The Agam Sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war.
What are the 5 principles Jains live by?
Underpinning Jainism are five central vows, or mahavratas. These are non-violence (ahimsa); non-attachment (aparigraha); not lying (satya); not stealing (asteya); and sexual restraint (brahmacharya), with celibacy the ideal.
What is the symbol of Jain Dharm?
The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes Ahimsa in Jainism. The word in the middle is “ahiṃsā” (non-injury). The wheel represents the dharmachakra, which stands for the resolve to halt the saṃsāra through the relentless pursuit of Ahimsa.
What are the 3 main beliefs of Jainism?
The three guiding principles of Jainism, the ‘three jewels’, are right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. The supreme principle of Jain living is non violence (ahimsa). This is one of the 5 mahavratas (the 5 great vows).
Who wrote Jain Granth?
Gautama and other Gandhars (the chief disciples of Mahavira) are said to have compiled the original sacred scriptures which were divided into twelve Angas or parts.
What is the Jainism holy book called?
the Agamas
The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are the canonical literature – the scriptures – of Svetambara Jainism. Mahavira’s disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations.
What are the 3 jewels of Jainism?
In Jainism the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyagdarshana (“right faith”), samyagjnana (“right knowledge”), and samyakcharitra (“right conduct”). One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation.
What are Jain texts called?
What language do Jains speak?
From the 12th century, various regional languages emerged in North India: variants of Gujarati and Hindi, the two languages predominantly used by the Jains, were also resorted to by new commentators. Today modern forms of these languages are used by Jain religious teachers both in their writings and preaching.
What do the symbols of the Jain religion mean?
Jain symbols are symbols based on the Jain philosophy . The four arms of the swastika symbolize the four states of existence as per Jainism: It represents the perpetual nature of the universe in the material world, where a creature is destined to one of those states based on their karma.
What are the religious scriptures of Jainism?
Jain religious scripturesare known as the Aagam, the Jains worship the Supreme Lord Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir, when a Tirthankar attains omniscience, their preaching are orally compiled by their immediate disciples (Gandhars). These preaching are then scripted by the Gandhars in the form of sutras (text).
What is the meaning of the Jainism color green?
Green – represents the upadhyaya (adepts), those who teach scriptures to monks. It also signifies brahmacharya (chastity). Dark blue – represents the Jain ascetics. It also signifies aparigraha (non-possession). In Jainism, Om is considered a condensed form of reference to the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi, by their initials A+A+A+U+M ( o 3 m ).
What are the four columns of the Jainism Sangha?
It also represents the four columns of the Jain Sangha: sadhus, sadhvis, sravakas and shravikas – monks, nuns and female and male laymen. It also represents the four characteristics of the soul: infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite happiness, and infinite energy.
