Jainism: Origins, Beliefs, and the Path to Liberation

Origins and Founding of Jainism

Jainism began in the 7th century B.C. in eastern India, as one of many movements divesting themselves from the formalized rituals and hierarchical organization of Hinduism. According to Hibbets, Jainism follows the teachings of twenty-four Tirthankaras who taught that the way to spiritual enlightenment was through a strict practice of religious asceticism. The last of these Tirthankaras is generally credited with founding Jainism. Born into the family of Jnatirputra around 599 B.C., he has been given the laudatory names of Mahavira (the great one) and Jina (the conqueror).

According to Jainist tradition, when he was a young man, Mahavira left behind the emptiness of a life of pleasure to pursue the ascetic practices of Brahminism. Mahavira believed so completely in the principle of self-mortification that he did not wear clothes, did not shelter himself from the elements, ate only vegetables, and fasted. After thirteen years of this practice, Mahavira converted eleven disciples. Jain tradition credits Mahavira with establishing a monastic community of 14,000 monks and 36,000 nuns by the time of his death, which tradition attributes to fasting.

In the fourth century A.D., a schism occurred in Jainism that formed the two sects that continue today — the Shvetambaras (white-clad monastics) and the Digambaras (sky-clad monastics). The Shvetambaras believe that monks and nuns should wear white robes, while the Digambaras believe that monks should be nude. Digambaras also hold that females cannot attain liberation. Between the fourth and sixth centuries, the Shvetambaras migrated to western and central India, whereas the Digambaras settled in southern India.

The Two Sects: Shvetambaras and Digambaras

"Describing eight main classes of karmas, successively, in proper order; a worldly soul, bound by these karmas, suffers through cycles of birth and death." (Uttaraadhyayan Sutra)

Core Beliefs: The Soul, Karma, and Liberation

The major tenet of Jainism is for the soul to achieve liberation from the cycle of reincarnation by ridding itself of the bonds of karma through ascetic practice. Jains believe that the soul is uncreated, eternal, and possesses infinite power and knowledge. While Jains believe that all living things have a soul, only humans can achieve liberation. There are five levels on the path to liberation:

1. Sadhus (monks) and sadhvis (nuns)
2. Upadhyayas (teachers of the Jain scripture)
3. Acharyas (spiritual leaders)
4. Arihantas (liberated souls who have attained salvation)
5. Siddhas (fully liberated souls)

When an ordinary person — a householder — decides they want to undertake the path to liberation, they must first live with monks or nuns for a specified period of time. If, after learning about the religion and the ascetic life, they decide to follow it, they take the five vows to become a sadhu or sadhvi and begin following the renounced life. Once a sadhu acquires additional knowledge of the Jain scriptures and philosophy, he teaches the scriptures to others and becomes an upadhyaya. As the individual progresses on the path to liberation and masters the scriptures, other languages, and other religions, he becomes an acharya and is able to lead a monastic community.

The ultimate level a human can achieve is that of arihanta. Arihantas become siddhas after death, but until then they help and teach others. Once a soul becomes a siddha, it has escaped the cycle of reincarnation and rid itself of karma. Siddhas dwell in the highest level of heaven and are considered to be above the gods. According to Aiken, this liberation is only achieved after twelve years as a monk and eight rebirths. Souls that do not achieve liberation are either reborn as another life form on earth or suffer punishment in one of the eight levels of hell.