JAINISM
Q1. What is Jainism?
Following the teachings of Mahavira. They are called Jains.
Q2. Who founded the Jainism?
Rishabadeva - the first Thirthankara born to Nabhiraja and Queen Marudevi, at Ayodhya.
Q3. Who is a Tirtankar?
A person who in addition to achieving liberation and enlightenment as an " Arihant" ( a step before becoming Siddha) by destroying all of their soul constraining Karmas, became a role model and leader for those seeking spiritual guidance.
Q4. Who was Mahavira?
He was the 24th Tirthankara born to King Siddharta and Trishala of Kundagram (Bihar). Thus he was a prince. He was also the last Tirthankar.
Q5. Where did Mahavira die?
He died at Pawanpuri, near Rajgir in Bihar in 527 BC.
Q6. What is the Holy book of Jainism?
Tattvartha Sutra - book of reality written by Acharya Umarvati 1800 years ago.
Q7. How the temples of Jains are called?
Derasar and also Basadi.
Q8. What are the the main denominations in Jainism?
(A) DIGAMBAR : Dig - Space, Ambar - Clad. Thus the Digambar monks are nude. They believe that women do not attain Moksha. Among them there are (1) Terapanthis and (2) Kanjipanthis. The Terapanthis, reject idol worship and their monks/nuns wear Muhapattis, a piece of cloth over their mouth all the time.
(B) SWETAMBAR : Swet - White, Ambar - clad, Thus the Swetambar monks are white clad. They do not believe in the nudity of monks or that women do not attain Moksha.
Q9. Who are Stanakvasis amongst Jains?
A sect of Jainism, founded by a merchant named Lavaji around 1653 BCE that believes in God without form.
Q10. What are the nine important basic principles of Jain philosophy?
Jiva - Souls and all living things.
Ajiva - Non-living things
Punya - Good Karma (acts)
Paap - Bad Karma
Asrava - Influx
Bandha - Bondage of Karma
Samvara - The stoppage of influx of Karma
Nirjara - Shedding of Karma
Moksha - Liberation / Salvation.
Q11. What are the five vows of Jains?
1. Ahimsa - Non violence
2. Sathya - Truth
3. Asteya - Non stealing
4. Brahmacharya - Charity
5. Apari Graha - Non possessiveness.
Q12. What is the sacred symbol of the Jains?
Swastik.
Q13. What are the important religious terminologies in Jainism?
ANEKANTAVADA: Basic principle of Jainism, that reality is perceived from different points of view and that no single point of view is completely true.
DERAVASI/MURTI PUJAKA: Believers of Idol's worship in Jain Temples.
KSHAMA VAANI: The day for asking everyone's forgiveness. 14th day of the month of Bhadrapad. It is known as "Michhami Dukadam" when seeking forgiveness. MAHAVIR JAYANTHI: Birthday of Mahavir.
NAMORAR MANTRA : An important daily prayer in salute of (1) Arihants, (2) Siddhas, (3) Acharyas, (4) Upaadhyayas, (5) Regular monks.
PARYUSHAN PARVA : A period of fasting - 8-10 days.
PARYUSHANA: Is the staying a months in one place, for a minimum period of 70 days when Samayika is extensively practiced. PRATIKRAMAN: A process of reputence of sins, during which Jains reput for their wrong doings.
SAMAYIKA: The practice of meditation by Jains.
SARVAKA: A disciple.
SALLEKHANA: A practice of dying by fasting.
TIRTH: A derasar (temple) that is more than 100 years old or fairly big one with facilities for food and big one with facilities for food and night stay.
Q14. What are the important Jain Rituals?
PANCHAKALYANAK PRATISHTA: Pratikraman: A process of repentance for sins.
SAMAYIKA: a form of meditation practiced during "Paryushana" (one of the important festival) a special eight or ten days period.
GURUVANDANA, CHAITANYA VANDANA: Saluting the great philosophers, scholars, teachers etc.
Q15. How and when the birthday of Mahavira is celebrated?
Mahavir Jayanthi: On the 13th day of the bright half of Chaitra month (March-April).
Q16. Jains observe Diwali as the day of?
Attainment of Nirvana (Enlightment) by Mahavir.
Q17. What are the famous Jain Temples / Holy sites of Jains?
(1) SARAVANA BELA GULA : Hassan District., Karnataka. On a small hillock Vindhyagiri - an 18 mtr/60 feet statue (monolith) of Bahubali, second son of Rishaba is erected. It was erected during the rule of Gangas, in Karnataka. Mahamatsabhisheka, an important Jain festival held once in 12 years here, the last one was held in 2006 and the next one will be held in 2018.
(2) SHIKARJI : Parshvnathi Temple at Girdih District in Jharkhand State. The most sacred pilgrimage site on a hill of 4481 feet - Twenty Tirthankaras attained Nirvana here.
(3) PALITANA: Most visited Jain temple in Gujarat.
(4) DILWARA TEMPLES : White marble temples at Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
(5) RANAKPUR : Extensive white marble temples in Rajasthan.
(6) KUNDALPUR : Siddahkshetra with 63 temples - Beautiful Bade Baba statue, and Damoh, M.P.
(7) CHANDANPUR : Sawai Madohpur Dt., Rajasthan - 78 cm copper statue of Mahavir in Padmasana posture - most visited temple in Rajasthan.
(8) ANANTHANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, PULIYARMALA - Wayanad District, Kerala.
(9) GIRNAR: Jain temples - Gujarat.
(10) JUNAGADH: Major rock edicts of Ashoka - Gujarat.
Q18. Apart from India, which country has more Jain temples?
USA.
Q19. Which state has the largest Jain population?
Maharashtra.
Q20. Literacy percentage of Jains are?
The highest among all religions of India at 94%.
Q21. Idol worshippers of Jainism are called?
Deravasi / Murtipujika.
Q22. How the period of fasting in Jainism called?
Paryushan Parva.
Q23. How the meditation is called in Jainism?
Samayika.
Q24. How a disciple is known in Jainism?
Sarvaka.
Q25. How the practice of dying by fast is called in Jainism?
Sallekhana.
Q26. What are the important festivals?
Paryush Parva, Mahavir Jayanthi, Diwali, Gyaana Panchami, Paush Dasami, Varshi Tapa or Akshay Tritya Tapa, Mauna Gyaras, and Nav Pad oli.
Q27. What is Paryushana Parva?
An important festival of Jains. It is observed for 8 days during the months of Sravana/ Bhadra (August-September) during which period, the Jains fast for the whole of 8 days (minimum of 3 days with the last day, the 8th day, a compulsory one) and recite prayers and worship, the most important one.
Q28. What is Mahavir Jayanthi, a celebration of?
Birth day of Mahavira falling on 13th day of the bright half of the Hindu Calendar month of Chaitra.
Q29. How the Diwali is observed in Jainism?
Second most important festival of Jains. It marks the anniversary of the Lord Mahavira's Moksha.
Q30. When do the Jains observe "New Year Day"?
Next day of Deepavali/Diwali.
Q31. What is Gyana Panchami, a day of?
5th day of the new year. Marked by worshipping of the scriptures.
Q32. What is Paush Dasami?
Birthday of 23rd Tirtankara Lord Parshunath, on the 10th day of Posh month of Hindu calendar.
Q33. What is Varshi Tapa or Akshay Tritya Tapa?
It is a ritual of observing fast for one year preceding this day and completing it on this day. Considered to be very auspicious day for going on pilgrimage to the temple of Sharunjay at Palitana, in Bhavnagar Dt., Gujarat. It falls on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Vaishak month of Hindu calendar.
Q34. What is "Mauna Gyaras" in Jainism?
This day is regarded as the anniversary of the birth of the many Thirthankaras. It falls in November / December when a day of complete silence and fasting is observed and meditations is directed towards the five holy beings - monks, teacher, religious gurus, Arhat and Siddha.
Q35. What is Navpad Oli?
A ritual of fasting coming in March/April and also in September, October.
Q36. Which are the two most famous temples of Jains?
(1) Sankeshwar - Gujarat (2) Satrunjay - Palitana, Gujarat.
Q37. Who was Bahubali, whose 60 feet tall stone statue is erected at Saravana Belagula, Karnataka?
Second son of Rishaba the founder of Jainism. It was erected during the rule of Gangas in Karnataka.
Q38. What does "Tirthankara" mean?
A person to help others cross the "ford of" the river of human misery.
Q39. What are the main sects of Jainism?
Digambar and Shvetambar.
Q40. What is the core theory and philosophy of Jainism?
Anekantavada.
Q41. Mahavira is also called as?
Vardhamana.
Q42. What is the famous festival associated with Bahubali?
Mahamastabisheka.
