World Religions Sixth Edition Warren Matthews Chapter Five

World Religions, Sixth Edition Warren Matthews Chapter Five: Jainism and Sikhism This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: • any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; • preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; • any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Two Minority Religions – Jainism and Sikhism Jainism – a minority religion of India, considered almost a subcaste of Hinduism Its views on karma and samsara are evidence of its origins in the fertile climate of India’s religions Sikhism – another minority religion in India, about 2, 000 years after Jainism was established Its basis comes from two views: that Nanak developed a religion that would incorporate the best spiritual insights of both Hinduism and Islam, and that it was an entirely new response to Nanak

The Homes of Jains and Sikhs in India

Jainism – Historiographic Considerations The two major groups of Jain monastics: Shvetambaras Digambaras They hold conflicting interpretations of Jain history Historians have to contend with these conflicting accounts

Early Jainism dates from about the time the Hindu Vedas were being written down Tirthankaras, “ford finders, ” were spiritual leaders Men who had achieved enlightenment Showed the way for others to model Twenty-four Tirthankaras are known to have existed

A Jain Temple at Jaiselmere, Rajasthan, India

Early Life of Mahavira is the 24 th Tirthankara Founder of modern Jainism Born as Jnatrputra Vardhamana 599 BCE in Bihar region of India While pregnant with him, his mother supposedly had auspicious dreams of destiny as either a king or saint Shvetambaras hold that Mahavira was transferred as a fetus from the womb of a Brahmin woman into the womb of his birth mother, a Kshatriya woman

Mahavira’s Life Was Mahavira a householder? Digambaras maintain that he never married Shvetambaras contend that as an adult, Mahavira married and fathered a daughter At age thirty, Mahavira experiences a renunciation of the world Digambaras state that he wandered naked Shvetambaras say that he wore clothes for thirteen months more before becoming “sky clad”

Mahavira’s Enlightenment After twelve years of searching, Mahavira attained enlightenment Became a Jina, or conqueror Jain means “follower of a Jina” Eleven Brahmins constituted his inner circle Translated his “heavenly sounds” for others after his death

Jain Scriptures Jain canonical scriptures are called the Agama Three categories: Purva Precede Mahavira No longer in existence Anga Teachings of Mahavira Rules of conduct Angabahya

Jain World Karma Ajiva sticking to jiva Results in reincarnation Destructive and nondestructive karmas Liberation Achieved only by the one’s own will The culmination of fourteen stages No priests necessary

Jain Ethics Ahimsa – the doctrine of nonviolence, the central Jain virtue Imperative in avoiding accumulating additional karma Reverence for all life instead of the sacrifices of animals Some avoid taking life from any living thing (plants and insects) Satya – telling the truth Asteya – not stealing Brahmacharya – practicing chastity, celibacy for monks and nuns Aparigraph – nonattachment, commonly practiced by fasting

Jain Nuns Wearing Masks to Avoid Breathing in Small Creatures

Jain Practices Statues of the Tirthankaras help remind Jains of the kinds of people they want to become Celebration of Mahavira’s birthday and day of enlightenment instill respect for him Pilgrimages to religiously significant sites reinforce commitment to Jain principles

Sikh Homage to Guru Nanak in Lahore, Pakistan

Early Life of Guru Nanak born in 1469 in the Punjab (northwest India) An astrologer foretold that Nanak would attain the dignity of a prophet Life as a householder Married and had two sons Worked as a herdsman and accountant At thirty years old, Nanak had a spiritual crisis

Nanak’s Vision Experienced himself as having been brought before God Charged with taking God’s name into the world God designated him as supreme guru, or spiritual leader Upon returning to human society, he startled people with his announcement that there was no Hindu or Muslim

Nanak’s Life Work Traveled extensively, attracting Sikhs (followers) from Hinduism and Islam His dress combined both Hindu and Muslim elements He scorned both the Vedas and the Qu’ran He preached reliance on God alone

Recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, a Daily Ritual

Sikhism God’s oneness Includes but exceeds the world God’s nature Nirguna Brahman – without attributes, formless Saguna Brahman – with attributes, for the benefit of people God is the original guru teacher God’s word and law are evidenced throughout the world God is knowable to people

Sikhism Humans are embodied souls seeking reconnection with God Happiness and immortality are possible through connection with God Established through five stages: Piety, honoring God, helping others Knowledge, seeking God Humility, focus on God Being filled with the power of God Union with God

Nine Gurus after Nanak Angad – appointed by Nanak as his successor Amar Das Ram Das Arjan Har Gobind Har Rai Har Kishan Teg Behadur Gobind Singh

Nine Gurus after Nanak Angad had been appointed by Nanak as his successor Arjan began compiling Adi Granth (scriptures), began construction of Golden Temple (the primary Sikh temple) Gobind Singh declared himself to be the last Sikh guru After his death the Sikhs were to honor only Adi Granth Abolished caste distinctions

Sikhism Khalsa Singhs, or Lions, emphasized struggle and sacrifice in the face of threats Kesh – hair and beard left uncut Kangha – comb tucked into hair Kach – shorts worn, suitable for easy fighting maneuvers Kara – steel bracelet, protecting the wrist of one’s sword arm Kirpan – a sword

Sikhism Since Guru Gobind Singh Sikhs fared well during and served colonial British interests Upon British retreat, the Sikh homeland of Punjab was divided between the new states of Pakistan and India Some Sikhs have rallied for a separate Sikh Punjabi state

Sikh Practices Gurdwaras – places of worship, house the Adi Granth Visitors enter as if approaching the home of a guru Heads are covered and feet bare inside the gurdwara Food is shared to emphasize erasure of social distinctions Besides routine worship, other occasions in life involve religion Reading from the Adi Granth is the centerpiece of gatherings Birthdays of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind are days of rejoicing Memorial day is set aside to mark the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Cremation is common at death

Golden Temple at Amritsar – House of Worship for Sikhs