Figure 1.--The image here shows a group of Boy Scouts visiting the Jain temple in Ranakpur (Rajastan, India). They seem more tourists than pilgrims. However Jains don't wear special clothing except monks. The monks belong to two monastic schools: the Svetambara (white clothed) that wear a white tunic and the Digambara (sky clothed) that wear no clothing at all.

Jainism is an off-shoot of Buddhism. It was in many ways a protest against Hinduis, but also influenced by the long Hindu traditions. Vardhamana Mahavira (599-527 BC) was a contemporary of Buddha. He claims to have achieved enlightenment (about 557 BC). He founded Jainism that came to a major competitor with Hinduism at a time of great religious ferment in India. The final and maximum law of Jainsm is ahimsa (non-violence). Jain tradition teaches a sucession of 24 Tirthankaras (saints) who are the foundation of the religion. The last Tirthankara was Vardhamana who is called Mahavira (the great hero) and Jina (the victor). The Jains believe that all matter and spirit in the universe are eternal. Jains believes that spirits retain conciouness of identity through sucessive incarnations. These incarnations were deterimined by one's conduct. The goal of life is to reach Nirbanah which is release from body and matter. Jains believe that an individual can reach Nirvanah after nine reincarnations. The Yati (ascetics) can achieve Nirvanah after 12 years of self denial. Jains are guides by three Jems: right faith, cognition, and conduct. Many modern Jains see their religion as part of the Hindu faith while others continue to view it as a separate religion. Jains don't wear special clothing except monks. The monks belong to two monastic schools: the Svetambara (white clothed) that wear a white tunic and the Digambara (sky clothed) that wear no clothing at all.

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Created: 11:00 PM 2/4/2007
Last updated: 11:00 PM 2/4/2007