Jainism originated in India, and to this day only four to five million people in India believe in this religion(Jainism video). Jainism is said to not have one single founder, however they do believe in Tirthankaras. Tirthankaras were the twenty four revealers of truth; the word means ford finder. Tirthankara will only appear on earth when there is a need for renewal of the good teachings that have been abandoned. The last known Tirthankara was known as Mahavira, he lived approximately from 599-527 BCE. He was a prince whose actual name was Vardhamana; he was a prince and enjoyed the pleasures of life then at thirty, waned to help those that were looking for a solution from pain, sorrow, and suffering (Mohammed Reader, p. 126). He spent twelve and a half years out in silence meditation. He said karma is what keeps us from being reborn.
The Mahavrata are the five great vows, they consist of: Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (trustfulness), Asteya (non stealing), Brahmachariya (chastity), and Aparigraph (nonattachment). Monks were to observe these vows and commit complete devotion. There was an …show more content…
I believe that their numbers are so extremely limited due to not having religious text. In earlier times they were not allowed to write down the Jain texts. When the famine broke out in 350 BCE, numerous amount of nuns and monks died, therefore made it impossible to continue the texts without it in writing, so they then allowed writing texts down to be passed on. Another reason for such a small amount of followers is due to the fact of not eating. When Mahavira meditated he barely ate. I don’t know about everyone but I truly enjoy food, and I wouldn’t be able to fast as much that is expected of me. Even though the Jains have a limited followers, they are very influential. They brought meditation, yoga, and Karma which are used in some to most
The Mahavrata are the five great vows, they consist of: Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (trustfulness), Asteya (non stealing), Brahmachariya (chastity), and Aparigraph (nonattachment). Monks were to observe these vows and commit complete devotion. There was an …show more content…
I believe that their numbers are so extremely limited due to not having religious text. In earlier times they were not allowed to write down the Jain texts. When the famine broke out in 350 BCE, numerous amount of nuns and monks died, therefore made it impossible to continue the texts without it in writing, so they then allowed writing texts down to be passed on. Another reason for such a small amount of followers is due to the fact of not eating. When Mahavira meditated he barely ate. I don’t know about everyone but I truly enjoy food, and I wouldn’t be able to fast as much that is expected of me. Even though the Jains have a limited followers, they are very influential. They brought meditation, yoga, and Karma which are used in some to most