JAINISM

HISTORY OF JAINISM

• Believe there is no founder
• 24 Tirthankaras
• Last known- Vardhamana (Mahavira) “great Hero”

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THEOLOGICAL FOCUS

• Spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence
• Guides to shed karma and achieve liberation
• 5 great vows

WORSHIP

• Pointless to devote to any god figure
• Worship at temples everyday
• Personal spiritual and karmic development
• Worship in temples (one Tirthankara being centered)
• Meditation, offering and prayer
• No type of clergy

TEXTS

• Kalpa Sutra
• A treatise on Jainism
• Akaranga Sutra

RITUALS

• Fasting is very important
• Mahavira Jayanti
• Paryushana
• Diwali

MODERN DAY

• Among the smallest religion
• Migrated from East Africa to the UK
• 6 Million worldwide