Jainism Terminology

Question 1

2 major sects in Jainism

Answer 1

• Svetambara
• Digambara

Question 2

Jina

Answer 2

• Conqueror of ego/body/passions
• spiritual perfection
• teacher

Question 3

Tirthankaras

Answer 3

• Builders of bridges or ford makers
• what Jinas are referred to as

Question 4

Ahimsa Paramo Dharma

Answer 4

• nonviolence is the supreme path
• central teaching in Jainism

Question 5

Chakravartin

Answer 5

universal emperor

Question 6

Jiva

Answer 6

Soul

Question 7

3 Jewels

Answer 7

1. Right faith (Samyak Darshan)
2. Right knowledge (samyak Jnana)
3. right conduct/action (Samyak caritra)

Question 8

Key figures

Answer 8

• 24 Jinas or Thirthankaras
• parshvanatha and Mahavira

Question 9

Two forms of Jinas in Temples

Answer 9

1. King: look more like humans, wear crowns, eyes are open (svetambara)
2. Arhat: perfect being, less elaborate, closed eyes because they are mediating, (Digambara)

Question 10

ajiva

Answer 10

Karma

Question 11

5 Categories of Jivas

Answer 11

• One sensed - touch
• Two sensed - touch + taste
• Three sensed - touch + taste + smell
• Four sensed - touch + taste + smell + sight
• Five sensed - touch + taste + smell + sight + hearing
• Touch is essential becuase everything can feel pain

Question 12

Karma/Material Karma

Answer 12

• Physical matter, permeates universe
• auspicious/”good” (punya), inauspicious/ “bad” (paap)

Question 13

Himsa

Answer 13

Violence

Question 14

Shramana

Answer 14

world-renouncing movement in the 9th (23rd Jina) and 6th (Mahavira) centuries of BCE

Question 15

Mahavira

Answer 15

• great hero
• 24th Jina
• enlightened at 42
• achieved moksha at 72
• Created early Sangha (community)

Question 16

Anekantavada

Answer 16

• Many sided reality
• elephant analogy

Question 17

Caturvidhyasangha

Answer 17

• “four-fold community”
• renouncers (“monks and nuns)
• householders (laymen, laywomen)

Question 18

Sampradaya

Answer 18

• “spiritual lineage of tradition”
• Gana: troop

Question 19

Parinirvana

Answer 19

death and final release of Mahavira

Question 20

Muhapatti

Answer 20

protect micro-organisms

Question 21

Agam Sutras

Answer 21

Jain Scripture

Question 22

Sadhivs

Answer 22

soon to be ascetics

Question 23

Sallekhana

Answer 23

Scratching out body to save soul

Question 24

Anahari Pad

Answer 24

• state of not-consuming
• performed by old monks trying to achieve moksha and die

Question 25

Murtis

Answer 25

- Statues used for worship in temples

Question 26

Samvara

Answer 26

- Defensive practice: actions taken to protect oneself from causing harms to other things (mindful practices)

Question 27

Nirjara

Answer 27

- offensive practice - things we do to burn of the karma we already have (meditating, fasting)

Question 28

Male renouncers

Answer 28

- Sadhus or Munis

Question 29

female renouncers

Answer 29

- sadhvis or aryikas (digambara)

Question 30

great vows

Answer 30

- Mahavratas - adopted by ascetics

Question 31

Small vows

Answer 31

- Anuvratas - adopted by householders

Question 32

Dana

Answer 32

- donations - done by householders to earn good karma

Question 33

The five Anuvratas

Answer 33

1. Ahimsa (nonviolence) 2. Satya (truth) 3. Asteya (non-stealing) 4. Brahmacharya (celibacy) 5. Aparigraha (non-possession/non-attachement)