By: Chad McBride, Sam Moore, and Jack Wolfe

By: Chad McBride, Sam Moore, and Jack Wolfe

Jainism

Sikhism

AND

What is Jainism?Over 2500 years old

Practiced by around 5 million people, mostly in India

Observe non-violence toward all living beings called Ahimsa

Try to move soul towards divine consciousness and liberation

Worship no gods

Not very ritualistic

Who founded Jainism?No single founderJainism was founded by many Tirthankaras

that “make a ford” or “show the way”A Tirthankasas is an ordinary soul that is born

human and works towards becoming a teacher of Jainism

“Prophets”Mahavira- gave Jainism its present day form

The last great Tirthankara of JainismOften wrongly called the founder of Jainism

Core BeliefsEvery living being has a soul

Every soul is potentially divineGodly but masked by its karmas

Harm nobody and be kind to all living beings

Every soul is the architect of its own life

Core Beliefs (cont’d)Practice self-control because your decisions

can lead you away from the true nature of the soul

Limit possessions

Jains worship icons of Jinas, Arihants, and Tirthankaras. No gods though.

Life Goal: Liberate soul from negative effects of bad thoughts, speech, and actions

DietPractice strict vegetarianismForbidden to use any leather or silk

productsCannot consume any root vegetables

Potatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, turnips, etc.Cannot consume any seeds either because

a seed is a form of lifeDo not touch or use any sharp objects

around the house or in the kitchen on certain days

Religious PracticesMake pilgrimages to sacred sites

Attend temples

Revere the Tirthankaras

Observe holy days:• Mahavir Jayanti (The birth of Mahavira)• Paryushana Parva (A festival of fasting and forgiveness)• Mahavir Nirvan (Celebrates death of Mahavira

DiffusionStarted in India around 500 bcDidn’t spread out until recently

~100,000 followers now in North America

Hierarchical diffusion- Religion spread through the teaching of monks

Contagious diffusion- Media and internet have helped gain more followers outside India

Holy PlacesTemples- places to worship

Best places on peaks or mountainsUpashray- Where monks and nuns liveNo particular “sacred ground”

ConflictsNo major conflicts because practice

nonviolence and peace

Did split into 2 groups because tensions between monks of North and SouthVetämbara monks wear white clothes. Digambara monks sometimes wear no

clothes at all

Sikhism

What is Sikhism?Monotheistic religion in India

Founded in Punjab district during the 1500’s

20 million followers

Seek to make religion unite people, not divide

All people are equal because children of the same god

FounderGuru Nanak (1469-1538)Born and raised Hindu Disciple of Hindu and Muslim teachersStarted gaining followers after a mystical

realization in 1499Sikhs are disciples of the gurus and of the

ultimate guru, godPreached unity between Hindu and Muslim

religions Behind all forms of god is the “true god”Rejected rituals for true devotion

BeliefsOne God, but many names

Sat Nam “true name” Waheguru “great guru”

Equality for all human beings

Karma and reincarnation

Reject monastic life

Common PracticesMediate and pray in mornings and evenings

Honesty and hard work

Charity

Service

Strong family ties

Strong identity with the Sikh community

Also abstain from smoking, drinking and drugs

The 5 K’sKesh: Long, uncut hair

Men wear turbans over hairKangha: Special comb to keep hair cleanKara: Steel bracelet worn on right wrist

Reminder of god and of dutiesKachh: undergarments

Reminder of purity and chastityKirpan: Sword that symbolizes god’s power

and protection for the weak

DiffusionFounded in India and still very widespread

Sikh gurus traveled into and sent missionaries to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc to spread the word

Recently media and internet have helped show religion to a broader audience

Also example of hierarchical diffusion because influenced by people in charge

Becoming more widespread throughout world

Holy PlacesHarmandir- “Golden Temple”

Center of worship for all Sikhs in the worldSurrounded by healing water

Many other temples for worship

ConflictsHave been some conflicts between Sikhs and other

religions

May 1984, Sikh extremists occupied golden temple and made it a safe haven for terroristsGovernment of India sent troops and had to take temple by

force. 493 total casualties.Angered Sikhs

Since 1940’s the Sikhs have been trying to create a independent nation for themselves named Khalistan.Carved out of the Punjab state in IndiaProbably never happen since in an area of good agriculture

Works CitedRobinson, BA. Jainism. N.p., 10 Oct. 2010. Web. 13

Jan. 2012.Jainism. Jainworld, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.Jainism: Mahavira. BBC- Religions, 10 Sept. 2010.

Web. 13 Jan. 2012.Sikhism. Religion Facts, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2012.Sikh Beliefs. BBC- Religions, 24 Sept. 2009. Web.

13 Jan. 2012.Cline, Austin. Sikh Controversies. About.com, n.d.

Web. 13 Jan. 2012.The Sikh Way of Life. Sikhs.org, 2011. Web. 13 Jan.

2012.