Chapter-14 - Fundamental Characteristics of Jainism

1. Who is called 'Jina' and 'Jain'?

'Jayti Iti Jina', i.e. who conquers his senses, passions and Karmas are called 'Jina' and 'Jinasya Upasakah Jainah', i.e. the devotee / worshipper of 'Jina', is called 'Jain'.

2. What is Jain religion ?

The religion told by 'Jina', is jain-religion.

3. What is religion ?

The religion is that following which a worldly soul becomes supreme soul (Almighty God), i.e. the right faith, right knowledge and right conduct has been told religion because this soul becomes supreme soul precisely through this gems-trio.

4. What are synonym words of Jain-religion ?

1. Nirgrantha Dharma - Unattached and possessionless saint is called Nirgrantha and his religion is Nirgrantha Dharma.
2. Shraman Dharma - Observing/performing penance who equips the soul with effort and labour, they are Shramans and the religion assumed by them, is Shraman religion.
3. Aarhat Dharma - The religion expounded by Omniscient Divinity (Arihant Parmeshthi), is Aarhat Dharma.
4. Sanatan Dharma - The religion in vogue from beginningless time is called Sanatan Dharma.
5. Jin Dharma - The religion narrated by Jinendra deva, is called Jin Dharma.

5. What are the fundamental characteristics / features of Jainism ?

1. Anekant - Anek+Ant=Anekant. 'Anek' means more than one and 'Ant' means attribute or quality (Dharma). The presence of many mutual contradictory qualities or Dharmas in an object/ thing, is called 'Anekant'.
2. Syadvad - The method of language narrating 'Anekant Dharma', (i.e. manifold contradictory predications), is called 'Syadvad'. Syat' means relativity in some respect (Kathanchita) and 'Vad' means to narrate, Just as Ramchandra ji is a son with respect to King Dashratha and father with respect of Lava & Kusha.
3. Non violence - The non-violence is of prime importance in Jain religion. Not causing grief to any body who-so-ever by mind, speech and body and not having feeling of attachmentaversion in inner self, is non-violence.
4. Aparigrahvad (Non-possessionism)- Renouncing all kinds of attachment / infatuation and renouncing other matters (i.e. other than soul) which are motive of attachment, is nonpossessionism. Digamber Jain saints are lively example of non-possessionism. If the world accepts the doctrine of non-possessionism the socialism shall prevail in the world on its own.
5. Independence of living being - Every living being of the world is independent, Just as each and every citizen can become Rashtrapati (president), Prime Minister, similarly each and every soul can become Parmatma (Almighty God). But for becoming Parmatma one has to destroy Karmas and without being a Muni the Karmas can not be destroyed.
6. The universe is eternal - This universe neither has been created by any one nor anybody can destroy it, nor any one maintains it. Each soul get fruits according to the deeds committed and committing by him. There is no need of any judge to administer/pronounce the verdict. Just as one is intoxicated by drinking the tea and by drinking the milk he gets strength and there is no need of any other refree for deciding the fruit after drinking tea or milk.
7. No theory of incarnation - The Parmatma (Almighty God) does not come back after getting liberated from the world. Just as the milk having been taken the form of 'Ghee' can not be changed again into milk, similarly the supreme soul (Parmatma/God) does not assume incarnation on the earth.
8. Rebirth - Jain religion accepts rebirth. Living being takes birth again after death and after taking birth also can die again, In case there is no death then can attain emancipation but after emancipation / salvation he does not take birth again.
9. The God is not Judge - The God only sees and knows he never make any one happy or grieved.
10. Substance is eternal - The substance is never destroyed, only its mode is changed. The soul is also a substance, it neither takes birth nor dies, it only change its mode.