Jain hand

Jain Dietary Customs


Jainism is a small religion but an ancient one that has been inordinately influential on the culture and religions of India. That archaeologists have found evidence of the religion in the Indus Valley civilization of 5000 to 8000 years ago is highly speculative and generally disregarded, but it is well established that it existed before 900 BCE. Currently the major region of growth for the Jain religion are the United States, where a number of temples have already been constructed, and Japan. Converts are being accepted



Overview

Jainism has contributed a great deal to both culture and religion in India and from there to the rest of the world. This is because of the great antiquity of the religion, because Jains have generally been the most highly educated people in India, and due to the recognized integrity of the religion. Jains are so respected that some non-Jain temples in India are administered by Jains.

While Mahavira, the earliest Jain "teacher" reliably dated lived around 600 BCE. He is listed as the 24th. Parshvanatha, the 23rd, is held to have lived 250 years before that, but his his historical existence is questionable. In the Buddha's day, his followers recognized Jainism as already a very ancient religion and Jainism most certainly contributed a great deal to Buddhist thought.

There are two major sects of Jainism and several minor ones but the differences are not great. Monks of the Digambar persuasion wear no clothes because clothes are posessions and increase desire for material things. Monks of the Svetambar persuasion wear white robes (nuns of both sects wear white robes). Other disagreements among the sects are even more minor and not over doctrine but conduct. Temples in the United States welcome all sects.


General Principles


Specific Rules

In general Jains are pretty strict about adherence, but some of the rules regarding plants (one sensed beings) and no overnight storage are not tightly adhered to by laity today. Monks and nuns are expected to follow all strictures with great accuracy. This section is an overview of important points but for more detail (and more rules) refer to Jain Web sites (1, 2).

This list does not include all sources used to prepare this page but it but those listed are particularly informative.

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