Tenets of Jaina Philosophy

Jaina Philosophy

1. Introduction

• Jaina Darshana is a non-Vedic philosophical system.
• Has its own canonical works and Puranas (like the Hindu tradition).
• Has a version of the Ramayana in the Jaina tradition.
• Over time, Jainas divided into two groups:
  • Shvetambara (white-clad ascetics).
  • Digambara (sky-clad - more or less naked ascetics).

2. Core Tenets of Jaina Philosophy

• Pluralism (Anekantavada): Reality is characterized by multiplicity (many entities in the world).
  • Contradicts the Monism of Advaita Vedanta.
• Relativism (Syadvada): Reality and pluralism are relative to individual perspective/framework.
  • Each person perceives the world through their own "spectacles."
  • A single entity can be perceived differently based on perspective.
  • Example: The story of six blind men and the elephant.
• No Absolute Knowledge: Except for the Tirthankaras no one has absolute knowledge.

3. Classification of Reality

• Two broad categories:
  • Jiva: Living entities.
    • Further categorized into:
      • Mukta: Liberated beings, free from the cycle of birth and death.
      • Baddha: Beings still in the cycle of birth and death.
        • Baddha Jivas: classified into mobile and immobile entities.
  • Ajiva: Non-living entities.
    • Includes:
      • Pudgala: Matter; includes karma (physical matter that binds the soul)
      • Dharma: Motion.
      • Adharma: Rest.
      • Dik: Space.
      • Kala: Time.

4. Jaina Theory of Karma and Liberation

• Cause of Samsara: The cycle of birth and death is due to karma (physical matter) attaching to the soul (atman) binding it to the body.
  • Similar to how wet mud sticks to a cloth.
• Fructification of Karma: Karma causes passions (anger, greed, etc.), which leads to more karmic particles and perpetuates samsara.
• Path to Liberation:
  • Realization of the true nature of the Jiva and the world.
    • Achieved by following the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
  • Three Requirements:
    • Right Faith (Samyag Darshana): Faith in the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
    • This path (readings, studies) will lead to moksha.
    • Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra): Actions and conduct as per the Tirthankaras guidelines.
      • Includes: * Ahimsa (non-violence) is of utmost importance.
    • Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana): Clear understanding that arises from right faith and right conduct.
      • Leads to a true understanding of nature of the self, world, and the teachings.

5. Ahimsa

• Ahimsa is central to Jaina conduct.
• Avoid harming anything (including insects).
  • Wearing masks and sweeping the floor.

6. Three-Fold Path to Liberation

• Right Faith (samyag darshana) → Right Conduct (samyak charitra) → Right Knowledge (samyak jnana) → Liberation

7. Nature of Ignorance and Liberation

• Ignorance of the nature of reality and the Jiva takes one into the cycle of birth and death.
• Ignorance is removed through knowledge which gives the state of liberation.
• The state of liberation is achieved by following right faith, right conduct and right knowledge.