1.

0 Introduction
Jainism is one of the major world religions and popular in India. It traces its
spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twenty four prophets also known as
Tirthankaras. It is also characterized by it three key pillars which are; Ahimsa,
Anekantavada, and Apargraha which means non-violence, non-absolutism and
ascetism respectively. In this connection, this work discusses Jainism religion. To
achieve this objective, it examines its history, origin, branches, festivals, rituals and
ceremonies, places of importance and doctrine on God, Man and World.
2.0 History of Jainism
Jainism is Indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment
through disciplined non-violence (ahimsa, literally “non-injury”) to all living
creatures. Scholars of religion generally hold that Jainism originated in the 7th–5th
century BCE in the Ganges basin of eastern India, the scene of intense religious
speculation and activity at that time. Buddhism also appeared in this region, as did
other belief systems that renounced the world and opposed the ritualistic Brahmanic
schools whose prestige derived from their claim of purity and their ability to perform
the traditional rituals and sacrifices and to interpret their meaning. These new
religious perspectives promoted asceticism, the abandonment of ritual, domestic and
social action, and the attainment of spiritual illumination in an attempt to win, through
one’s own efforts, freedom from repeated rebirth (samsara).1
Jains believe that their tradition does not have a historical founder. The first
Jain figure for whom there is reasonable historical evidence is Parshvanatha, a
renunciant teacher who may have lived in the 7 th BCE and founded a community
based upon the abandonment of worldly concerns. Jain tradition regards him as the
23rd Tirthankara also regarded as “Ford Maker”; that is, one who leads the way across
the stream of rebirths to salvation of the current age kalpa. The 24th and last
Tirthankara of that age was Vardhamana, who is known by the epithet ‘Mahavira’
“Great Hero” and is believed to have been the last teacher of “right” knowledge, faith,
and practice. Although traditionally dated to 599–527 BCE, Mahavira must be
regarded as a close contemporary of the Buddha (traditionally believed to have lived

1
A. PANIKAR, Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice, Motilal Banarsidass 2010, 64.
in 563–483 BCE but who probably flourished about a century later). The legendary
accounts of Mahavira’s life preserved by the Jain scriptures provide the basis for his
biography and enable some conclusions to be formulated about the nature of the early
community he founded.2
3.0 Branches
The two main sects of Jainism, are the Digambara ‘space-clad, or naked’ and
the Svetambara ‘white-clad, wearers of white cloth’. 3 There is not much difference
between the two sects in terms of their philosophies. They do differ in the nature,
additional to an extent in their theologies. Where the “white-clad” allow their
members to own property and permit clothing, the “sky-clad” insist that a true Jain
should own nothing, not even clothes, and therefore encourage the practice of going
naked.4 In addition to going naked, the sky-clad consider and believe that a perfect
saint is on whom in anticipation of his ultimate and final deliverance, goes without
food. Around the 18th century another sect was formed which is called Sthankavasi,
which advocates for sombre places of worship known as sthanakas.
4.0 Scripture
Since Jains do not believe in any god as a creator or in any divine source of
revelation, for them the only source of wisdom and authority are the Jinas.5 It is said
that after their enlightenment they became all-knowing and they emit divine sound
divyadhvani which the ultimate source of all teaching and understood by every being
in his own language. Mahavira, the last of the twenty four Jinas is regarded by the
Jains as the source of their body of doctrine and it believed that he transmitted his
teachings orally to his chief disciples the Ganadharas.6
It is believed that Mahavira did not write down the doctrine hence he taught by
his way of life and much emphasizing on non-violence as one way of attaining
individual salvation. Nevertheless, when mendicant stated having different sects,
teachings of Mahavira stated to be written down not as major doctrines. In the fifth
century, for the first time was were the sayings of Mahavira put in print. Many prints
2
A. PANIKAR, Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice 2010, 70.
3
J. PHIRI, WORLD RELIGION, Artperfect, Lusaka 2016, 113.
4
J.A. HARDON .J.A, Religions of the World, The Newman Press, Maryland 1963, 136.
5
International journal of Jain studies http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs.
6
International journal of Jain studies http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs.
have been made to give reference to the teachings of Mahavira but they are not
considered official like a Christian Bible. Due to different sects of Jainism, the sayings
of Mahavira have been divided in three groups, the right perception, right knowledge,
and right conduct. It is these divisions that other sects within Jainism have considered
the writings to be principles.7
5.0 Places of Importance in Jainism
Since Jainism is more dominant in India, there are more places of special
importance for the Jains in India than in any other place in the world. Some of them
are early temples where the celebration of religious events occurred or the famous
temples or images of Tirthankaras which draws the pilgrims.8 The twenty four
Tirthankaras that the Jains regard as spiritual leaders are believed to have lived in
these places, got enlightened and achieved the final liberation from the cycle of
rebirth.
The places of pilgrimage referred to as Tirtha which tend to be places of
importance in Jainism are divided into the following four categories. 9 First, the site
which is believed to be of the moksha of a Tirthankara such as Ashtapada, Shikharji,
Girnar, Pawapuri referred to as Siddhakshetra. Secondly, the locations where divine
events are believed to have occurred such as Mahavirji, Rishabhdeo, Kundalpur,
Tijara, and Aharji usually referred to as Atishayakshetra. Thirdly, the places
associated with thelives of great men such as Ayodhya, Vidisha, Hastinapur, and
Rajgir referred to as Puranakshetra. Lastly, places associated with famous Acharyas,
or centres of learning, such as Shravanabelagola referred to as Gyanakshetra.
6.0 Doctrine on God, Man and the World
Jains, like Buddhists, do not worship God but revere instead the saints who are
believed to have achieved complete liberation from the bondage of earthly life. There
are sixty three significant figures of Jain legend and story. The most important of
these are the twenty four Tirthankaras, perfected human beings who appeared as
teachers at various times in history and represent the highest religious attainment for
the Jains.

7
International journal of Jain studies http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs.
8
T. KURT, Jainism, A Pictoral Guide the Religion of Non-violence, Motilal Banarsidas Publishers, 1998.
9
T. KURT, Jainism, A Pictoral Guide the Religion of Non-violence, 1998.
 Jainism has as its religious ideal the perfection of man’s nature. The universe is
seen as being eternal, having no beginning and no end, precluding God from being a
creator. Perfection of the individual is achieved through the practice of an ascetic life,
without any divine assistance. Jain monastics and lay people follow the same fivefold
path of ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya
(Chastity) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness) but to different degrees.
Jain dharma teaches that every living thing is an individual and eternal soul,
which is responsible for its own actions. Jains see their faith as teaching the individual
to live, think and act in ways that respect and honor the spiritual nature of every living
being. Jainism was the first religion to practice ahimsa (non-violence) as a rule of
life.10
7.0 Festivals
Jainism like most other religions has important days in their calendar on which
they practice their observances. The followers of Jainism carry out acts of piety to
enrich their spiritual life with religious feasts.11 Their cardinal feasts are connected to
the five major events of the life of each Tirthankara. The principal festival is the
Mastakabhisheka, which is held every 12 years.12

A festival of fasting known as oli, is a shvetambara ceremony. It is celebrated

twice a year between the months of March and April for nine days and also between
the months of September and October for nine days as well. The Shvetambara’s main
festival is between the month of August and September. This festival is known as
Paryushana, whose purpose is pacification by forgiving and service with
wholehearted effort and devotion. The festival is characterized by fasting, preaching,
and scriptural recitation.13 An equivalent festival is held by the Digambara which is
known as Dashalakshanaparvan. For them it centres on publicly displaying of an
important text, the Tattvartha-sutra.

10
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Jainism accessed 2022/02/13.
11
J. PHIRI, World Religions, Artperfect, 112.
12
J. PHIRI, World Religions, Artperfect, 112.
13
U.P. SHAH, Jainism, http://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism, Accessed on 28th February, 2022.
8.0 Rituals and Ceremonies
Jainism has a very rich life of rituals and festivals. It is important to
remember that these are not simply empty shows but they have a significant meaning
for the benefit of the participant as well as viewers. The rituals should imprint the
religious principles unto the people’s minds forever. The rituals can be separated into
two parts; Karyn and Kriya meaning obligations to be followed and worships
performed respectively.14
Samayika which translates to meditation is a ritual act undertaken in the
morning and pratikramana is performed at night for repentance of violence committed
during day and night.15 The final day of paryusana, an annual occasion of repentance
and forgiveness is the most important of all ceremonies. During this cerebration, the
Jains who observed fast are honoured and also ask for forgiveness from family,
friends and foes. Diwali or Deepawali is second most important festival after
paryusana parva. It is celebrated to mark the day that Mahavira attained moksha. This
cerebration takes place in last day of month of Ashvina, end of year according to
Indian calendar.16
9.0 Conclusion
From the above analysis, it evident that Jainism teaches that the way to
liberation is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. As such, the supreme
principle of Jainism is nonviolence or ahimsa. In addition, the essence of Jainism is
the concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the
universe. Thus, the Jains believe that animals, plants and Humans have living souls
and therefore they should be treated equally with respect and compassion. Bearing in
mind the current situation of climate change and global warming affecting the
universe today, Jainism belief can be useful in mitigating this problem as man is
attributed to play a great role in contributing to it by having less regard to the
ecosystem. Lastly, Jainism religion can be helpful in promoting world peace as it
emphasizes on nonviolence.

14
T. KURT, Jainism, A Pictoral Guide the Religion of Non-violence, 1998.
15
International journal of Jain studies http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs.
16
J.A. HARDON .J.A, Religions of the World, 136.
 Bibliography
KURT T., Jainism, A Pictoral Guide the Religion of Non-violence, Motilal Banarsidas
Publishers, 1998
PHIRI, J. World Religions, Artperfect, Lusaka 2016, 113.
HARDON .J.A, Religions of the World, The Newman Press, Maryland 1963.
PANIKAR, A. Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice 2010, 70
Journals
International journal of Jain studies http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs.
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Jainism accessed 2022/02/13.
SHAH, U. P. Jainism, http://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism, Accessed on 28th
February, 2022.