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Jainism Facts & Worksheets

Jainism is a religion in India which emerged in 6th century BCE - the same time as Buddhism. Today, there are over 4 million Jains, or adherents, around the world.

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Jainism is one of the world’s oldest faiths. The word “spiritual conqueror” is derived from the Sanskrit word “jiva,” meaning “soul” or “life force.” This moniker reflects the belief that all living things have an eternal soul, and following the teachings of the Jain religion may free this soul from misery.

See the fact file below for more information on Jainism, or you can download our 24-page Jainism worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Origins and Development

  • Sanatan Dharma, or “Eternal Order,” as its devotees refer to it, was introduced to the Indus Valley around the third millennium BCE when a confederation of Aryan tribes moved to the area from Central Asia. Hinduism would later grow from this religious system.
  • The name “Aryan” was not associated with Caucasians until the 19th and 20th centuries C.E., and tales of an ancient “Aryan Invasion” of light-skinned peoples have long been debunked. Instead, the term “Aryan” referred to a class of people, not a nationality, and signified “free” or “noble.”
  • The Sanskrit language that these Aryans carried with them became the language of the native people’s holy scriptures, the Vedas, which form the basis of Hinduism.

Love History

  • Brahmanism, an early form of Hinduism, held that the world and the cosmos ran by eternal laws set in action by a person they named Brahman, who not only made everything function as it did but was the ultimate reality itself.
  • Hindu priests recited the Vedas and provided the people with interpretations. However, because the mass of people did not comprehend Sanskirt, this practice and apparent issue gave rise to campaigns for religious reform.
  • Vardhamana, a spiritual hermit who later became known as Mahavira (“Great Hero”), promoted Jainism; yet, little is known about the other aspects of his life. His birth location, the scope of influence, and last resting place are all under question.
  • His parents were well-off and died when he was either 28 or 30 years old. He reportedly gave up his wealth and worldly possessions at that point and led a simple life for the next 12 years.
  • The Jain faith holds that Mahavira was not its founder but one of many wise men who had discarded their ignorance and understood the true essence of reality and the soul.
  • It is asserted that Jainism’s precepts are everlasting and that the 24 enlightened sages who first “received” them—and then passed them on to others—were the only ones to do so. It should emphasize that Hindus also assert the same thing about the Vedas.

Beliefs

  • According to Jainism, every living creature is animated by an eternal soul stuck in a cycle of birth and death brought on by the karmic material amassed by one’s previous deeds.
  • Karma is viewed in Hinduism and Buddhism as an activity that either aids in freedom or draws one closer to samsara. Jainism, on the other hand, regards it as an expected outcome of the soul’s relationship with reality.
  • As with dust concealing an item, the soul becomes obscured and loses the ability to discern its actual nature. Because of this ignorance, the soul accepts the illusion of existence rather than its truth and dooms itself to suffering and death.
  • The Jains characterize an elephant in front of them, touch various sections of the animal, and draw conclusions using the tale of the elephant and the five blind men the king invited. Those who hold the elephant’s ears are like a huge fan; those who handle its leg are like a firm post; those who feel the side are like a wall, and so on.
  • In the same way that each human person is constrained by the boundaries of what they can comprehend in their dreams of subjective values, ignorance, and delusion, each blind man is restrained by perspective and unique interpretation.
  • One must adopt the Five Vows and carry out the activities that flow from them to awaken and become free from matter. From ignorance and servitude to knowledge and independence, one travels a 14-stage journey due to these activities.

Dravya (Ontological Facts)

  • Dravya is the Sanskrit word for things or entities. Six everlasting components make up the universe: the sentient soul (jiva), non-sentient matter (pudgala), the law of motion (dharma), the center of rest (adharma), space (akasa), and time (kala).
  • The final five form the ajiva (non-living). Jains define a substance as a single, indestructible constituent to distinguish it from a complicated body or object. At the same time, the latter is a mixture of one or more explosive compounds.

Tattva (Soteriological Facts)

  • In Jain’s philosophy, tattva refers to reality or truth and serves as the foundation for redemption. The seven tattvas, according to Digambara Jains, are the sentient (jiva or living), the insentient (ajiva or non-living), the influx of karma into the soul (Asvara, which is a combination of living and non-living), the bondage of karma to the soul (Bandha), the stoppage of karma (Samvara), the wiping away of karma from the past (Nirjara) (Moksha).
  • The spiritual aim of Jainism is to attain moksha for ascetics, but for most Jain laypeople, it is to accrue good karma that leads to better rebirth and a step to freedom. This insight into Jain philosophy is known as “trust in the tattvas.”

Pramana (Epistemological Facts)

  • Jain philosophy acknowledges three trustworthy sources of knowledge (pramana). It maintains that accurate understanding is founded on the witness, inference, and perception (pratyaksa) (sabda or the word scriptures).
  • Jain writings, including Tattvarthasutra, Parvacanasara, Nandi, and Anuyogadvarini, dwell on these concepts. Similar to epistemological beliefs found in other Indian faiths, certain Jain scriptures include analogy (upamana) as the fourth trustworthy technique.

Soul and Karma

  • The presence of “a bound and ever-changing soul” is seen by Jainism as an axiom that does not require proof. It asserts that although there are many souls, each one possesses the following three qualities: consciousness (Chaitanya and this is the most crucial), happiness (sukha), and vibrational energy (virya).
  • It goes on to say that the vibration bonds the soul and attracts karmic particles to it, but it also bestows virtues or faults on the soul. According to Jain teachings, spirits are “clothed with material bodies” that make up the body. In Jainism, karma refers to the global cause-and-effect rule, as in other Indian faiths.
  • But it is believed to be a tangible substance (subtle matter) that may unite with the soul, travel with the soul in a united state between rebirths, and influence the jiva’s happiness and suffering in the lokas. The soul’s intrinsic nature, aspirations, and spiritual capacity are said to be obscured and obstructed by karma in the subsequent reincarnation.

Jain Ethics and Five Vows

  • Jainism prescribes five moral obligations, or “five vows.” For Jain laypeople, these are known as anuvratas (minor vows), while for Jain mendicants, they are known as mahavaratas (significant vows). Both of these moral precepts assume that the Jain has access to a guru (teacher, counselor), deva (Jina, god), and doctrine and that the person is free from five offenses: skepticism toward the faith, ambivalence toward the truths of Jainism, the sincere desire for Jain teachings, acknowledgment of fellow Jains, and admiration for their spiritual endeavors.
  • Ahimsa, also known as “deliberate nonviolence” or “noninjury,” is the first important vow given by Jains. It is the most significant ethical responsibility in Jainism, and it applies not just to one’s actions but also requires that one be non-violent in their speech and thoughts.
  • Truth, or Satya, is the pledge always to speak the truth. You must not utter untruths, encourage others to tell lies, or support those who do.
  • A Jain layman should not take anything that is not offered voluntarily, known as asteya, or “not stealing.” Furthermore, if something is being provided to a Jain mendicant, they should ask permission before accepting it.
  • For Jain monks and nuns, brahmacharya, or “celibacy,” abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures, is required. The pledge represents purity and loyalty to one’s relationship with laypeople.
  • Aparigraha, or “non-possessiveness,” is the absence of hunger and greed and an attachment to neither material nor psychic things. Jain monks and nuns entirely forgo material possessions and interpersonal ties; they own nothing and have no branches.

Jain Symbol

  • The Jain emblem of the urn-shaped form with one dot at the top and three below, the swastika, and the hamsa (upraised palm) with the mandala in the middle and the inscription serve as an illustration of this vision.
  • Made this emblem was in 1974 C.E. To demonstrate the totality of the Jain religion on the 2,500th anniversary of Mahavira’s nirvana.
  • The urn-shaped image stands in for the universe, the dot at the top denotes freedom from servitude, the three dots below indicate the Three Jewels, and the swastika, an ancient transformational symbol that the Nazi Party of Germany appropriated in the 20th century C.E., represents the four states of existence: heavenly spirits, humans, demonic spirits, and subhuman spirits like plants and insects, all on the wheel of samsara.
  • Another interpretation of the swastika is that it represents the essential qualities of the soul, which include limitless energy, limitless bliss, limitless wisdom, and limitless perception and insight.
  • The a-icon represents bravery and dedication to nonviolence. The mandala alludes to samsara, and the writing on the palm is translated as “Souls provide service to one another” or “Life is joined by mutual support and interdependence,” in line with the Jains’ belief that all life is sacred and that every element of the natural world is worthy of the tremendous respect, love, and care.

Rituals and Worship

  • The many sects of Jainism practice ceremonies. Dundas claims that the Svetambara Jains’ ceremonial lay route is “heavily saturated with ascetic ideals,” where the customs either honor or commemorate the ascetic lives of the Tirthankaras or gradually approach the mental and bodily asceticism.
  • Sallekhana, a spiritual death achieved via the austere forsaking of food and drink, is the ultimate rite. The Digambara Jains adhere to the same philosophy, but their religious rituals and life cycle are more similar to those of the Hindus. Because Jain and Hindu communities overlapped and behaviors were seen as essential and secular, the crossover is mainly in the life cycle (rites of passage) ceremonies.

Temples

  • A Derasar or Basadi, often known as a Jain temple, is a house of worship. There are movable and stationary images of the Tirthankara in temples. One of the two sacred areas—the other being the main hall—is the inner sanctum, where these are posted.
  • The Palitana temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Ellora in Maharashtra, the Palitana temples in Gujarat, and the Jain temples at the Dilwara Temples near Mount Abu in Rajasthan are a few examples of historic Jain structures.
  • First to second centuries A.D. The Elephant Cave inscription is among the several Tirthankaras and gods with carvings found in the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves.
  • The Jain cave temples at Badami, Mangi-Tungi, and Ellora Caves are a must-see. With an early cave shelter and a medieval rock-cut temple with superb fresco murals similar to Ajantha, the Sittanavanasal Cave temple is a magnificent example of Jain art.
  • There are 17 stone beds inside with A.C. from the second century. Inscriptions in Tamil and Brahmic. The eighth-century Kazhugumalai temple symbolizes the rebirth of Jainism in South India.

Jainism Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Jainism across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Jainism worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Jainism, which is a religion in India that emerged in the 6th century BCE – the same time as Buddhism. Today, there are over 4 million Jains, or adherents, around the world. Their highest goal is to achieve and teach moksha, or liberation of the soul.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Jainism Facts
  • Making Meaning
  • Religions in India
  • Jaintionary
  • The Jain World
  • Cycle of Life
  • Jain Universe
  • Jainism in Letters
  • Let’s Play Bingo!
  • In Two Forms
  • Celebrating Diwali!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jainism?

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest faiths. The word “spiritual conqueror” is derived from the Sanskrit word “jiva,” meaning “soul” or “life force.” This moniker reflects the belief that all living things have an eternal soul, and following the teachings of the Jain religion may free this soul from misery.

What are the five vows of Jainism?

Ahimsa, also known as “deliberate nonviolence” or “noninjury,” is the first important vow given by Jains.  Truth, or Satya, is the pledge always to speak the truth. You must not utter untruths, encourage others to tell lies, or support those who do. A Jain layman should not take anything that is not offered voluntarily, known as asteya, or “not stealing.” For Jain monks and nuns, brahmacharya, or “celibacy,” abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures, is required. Aparigraha, or “non-possessiveness,” is the absence of hunger and greed and an attachment to neither material nor psychic things.

What does the Jain Symbol symbolize?

The urn-shaped image stands in for the universe, the dot at the top denotes freedom from servitude, the three dots below indicate the Three Jewels, and the swastika, an ancient transformational symbol that the Nazi Party of Germany appropriated in the 20th century C.E., represents the four states of existence: heavenly spirits, humans, demonic spirits, and subhuman spirits like plants and insects, all on the wheel of samsara.

What are the rituals and worship that Jainism practices?

The many sects of Jainism practice ceremonies. Dundas claims that the Svetambara Jains’ ceremonial lay route is “heavily saturated with ascetic ideals,” where the customs either honor or commemorate the ascetic lives of the Tirthankaras or gradually approach the mental and bodily asceticism.

What does the Jain temple know as?

A Derasar or Basadi, often known as a Jain temple, is a house of worship. There are movable and stationary images of the Tirthankara in temples. One of the two sacred areas—the other being the main hall—is the inner sanctum, where these are posted.

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