Source: Jain Philosophy and Practice, conversations with Grandma

Philosophy

Fundamental tenets

• For all eternity, the soul is bound by karma because of attachment and aversion → to be liberated from karma (and from attachment and aversion) = ultimate goal
  • Liberation will come with Right Conduct, Right Faith, and Proper Knowledge of the Universe
  • Reaching this state = bliss; released from karma, become godlike, omnipresent and omnipotent
• Three cardinal principles, interdependent on each other:
  1. Ahimsa: non-violence toward all living things; universal compassion, universal forgiveness, universal fearlessness
  2. Anekäntaväda: multiplicity of views, theory of relativity — nothing can be explained from a single POV
  3. Aparigraha: non-possession and non-possessiveness, freedom from attachment to worldly objects
• Each individual has control over his/her own destiny — no higher power will come in and save the day

The six affirmations

To the divine True Guru who gives incomparably unique shelter, I pay reverence with extreme deep devotion.

The self-realised souls who have experienced the pure nature of the soul have stated that the Six Affirmations mentioned below are the foremost abode of self-realisation.

First affirmation: the soul exists

Just as objects like pots and fabric exist, so does the atma. The proof of the existence of pots and fabric rests on the existence of certain of their defining characteristics. Similarly, the proof of the existence of the atma rests on the existence of the power of consciousness, which can know both itself and others.

Second affirmation: the soul is eternal

Pots and fabric remain for a limited time. The soul remains for all time. Pots and fabric result from combinations of atoms. The soul is in and of itself — there is not a single combination from which the soul is formed. The power of consciousness does not arise from any compound substance, which means it is not created. Arising from no combinations, it is eternal, as that which does not arise from any combinations cannot come to an end due to them.

Third affirmation: the soul is the author of karma

All substances have a functionality. The soul is also active, and is thus an author of action. The Jinas have declared three types of such activity. From the absolutist perspective, realising its own self, it is the cause of its own self. From the Anupacharit Convention (Vyavahaar) perspective, the soul is the author of physical (dravya) karma. By the Upcharit Convention perspective, it is the author of homes, towns, and so on.

Fourth affirmation: the soul endures the fruit of karma

Whichever actions there are, they are all fruitful, and not futile. Consuming poison results in poisoning; swallowing sugar leads to sweetness; touching fire leads to its own fruit. Just as touching snow is not without one feeling cold, so whatever the soul's conduct, passionate or dispassionate, it must result in some kind of fruit. The soul, being the author of such actions, endures their fruits.

Fifth affirmation: there is a state known as Moksha

The soul authors karma according to anupcharit vyavahaar convention, and due to this authorship endures karma — but this authorship is capable of cessation. While there is intensity of the passions, by refraining from them, reducing familiarity with them, and calming them, this intensity is diluted. These binding inclinations being capable of elimination, the pure state of the atma's true nature — devoid of passions — is the state of Moksha.

Sixth affirmation: there is a means to Moksha

There exist means opposite in nature to karmic bondage: knowledge, perception, samadhi (absorption in meditation), detachment, and bhakti. Through the power of these observances, karmic bondage is weakened, suppressed, destroyed, and eliminated. Thus, knowledge, perception, restraint, and others constitute the path to Moksha.

Concepts of god and universe

• God: individuals who have attained perfect knowledge, self-control, and self-realization → released from bonds of karma, cycles of life and death → viewed as Gods
  • Referred to as Tirthankar, Kevali, Arihanta, Arhat, Jina, and Siddha (different aspects of Jain god(s))
• Universe: instead of claiming that God self-existed and created the universe, Jainism holds that the universe itself self-exists and is eternal
  • Composed of six fundamental substances (Dravya)
  • No entities are created or destroyed, but undergo constant, continual change while maintaining essence
• Time: considered a basic element, comprising infinite cycles
  • Each cycle → two half-cycles, and in each half-cycle, 24 Tirthankars/Jinas are born
  • Each half-cycle → six eras
  • Currently in the 5th era of Avasarpini half-cycle

---

Prayers

Namaskär Mahämangal

Bowing down to each group, in hierarchical order:

• namo arihantänam
  • Arihantas = most enlightened people; "ari" = enemies, "hantas" = destroy → not favoring anyone over another, "love in the head" equally for everyone
  • Loving one person does not mean hating someone else
  • Includes 24 Tirthankars; has reached enlightenment and is still living
  • By saying namo arihantänam, you are not picking any one person — can be anyone who has reached that enlightened state → universal prayer
• namo siddhänam → Siddhas = arihants after death, once they have reached Moksha
• namo äyariyänam → heads of Jain congregation; preach unity of Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct
• namo uvajjhäyänam → Upadhyaya = ascetic teachers who teach Jain scriptures; importance of spiritual life over material life
• namo loe savvasähünam → bowing down to all the priests (Sädhus and Sädhvis), or ordinary people who follow the principles

Arihants: once he reaches this state, wants to raise everyone up to also reach that state; are all-knowing; prioritized over siddhas because still living and able to help us; shows us how to become siddha. When living in this world, no one is perfectly happy — once you become arihant, you escape this cycle.

• eso pancha namukkäro → by bowing to these five groups of good souls, you receive their good qualities; learn from and respect them
• savvapävappanäsano → gets rid of bad karma
• Mangalänam cha savvesim // padhamam havai mangalam → out of all possible things, this is the most auspicious prayer

Bowing to and praising anyone with the five principles: non-violence (Ahimsä), truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness (Aparigraha — respect for environment, voluntary limits on desires, ethical living)

Non-absolute viewpoint (Anekäntaväda, "different discussions") — not "I'm right, you're wrong"; different perspectives exist and there is some truth in everything.

Say three times whenever you're starting something new or going on a journey.