Sangha (Jainism)
In Jainism, Sangha (Community of the pious) is a term used to refer to the fourfold community of ''Muni'' ( male ascetics), ''Aryika'' / ''Sadhvi'' (female ascetics), ''Śrāvaka'' (laymen), and ''Śrāvikā'' (laywomen). The word is also used in various other ways. Meaning Champat Rai Jain, an influential 20th century Jain writer described the ''sangha'' as "those who practise the ''dharma''", "the community of the saints", "the community of the pious" and as "the community of the faithful". Significance According to the Jain texts, the ''sangha'' will be maintained till the very end of the present strife-ridden spoke of time ('' pancham kaal''). With the end of the ''sangha'', the ''dharma'' (religion) will also end. See also *Jainism *Sangha Sangha or saṃgha () is a term meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community". In a political context, it was historically used to denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom, and for a long time ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four , supreme preachers of ''dharma''. The first in the current time cycle is Rishabhadeva, who tradition holds lived millions of years ago; the 23rd is Parshvanatha, traditionally dated to the 9th century Common Era, BCE; and the 24th is Mahāvīra, Mahavira, who lived . Jainism is considered an eternal ''dharma'' with the guiding every time cycle of the Jain cosmology, cosmology. Central to understanding Jain philosophy is the concept of ''bhedavijñāna'', or the clear distinction in the nature of the soul and non-soul entities. This principle underscores the innate purity and potential for liberation within every Jīva (Jainism), soul, distinct from the physical and menta ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jain Monasticism
Jain monasticism refers to the order of monks and nuns in the Jain community and can be divided into two major Religious denomination, denominations: the ''Digambara'' and the ''Śvētāmbara''. The monastic practices of the two major sects vary greatly, but the major principles of both are identical. Five ''mahāvratas'' (Great Vows), from Mahavira's teachings, are followed by all Jain ascetics of both the sects. Historians believe that a united Jain ''Sangha (Jainism), sangha'' (community) existed before 367 BCE, about 160 years after the ''Moksha (Jainism), moksha'' (liberation) of Mahavira. The community then gradually divided into the major denominations. However, no evidences indicate when the schism between the Digambara, Digambaras and the Śvetāmbara, Śvetāmbaras happened. Terminology ''Digambaras'' use the word ' for male monastics and ''aryika'' for female monastics. ''Svetambara monks'' are also called ''nirgrantha'' (without bonds). ''Śvētāmbaras'' also us ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Aryika
''Aryika'', also known as ''Sadhvi'', is a female mendicant ( nun) in Jainism. History In the traditional Digambara tradition, a male human being is considered closest to the apex with the potential to achieve liberation, particularly through asceticism. Women must gain karmic merit, to be reborn as man, and only then can they achieve spiritual liberation in the Digambara sect of Jainism. This view is different from the Svetambara sect that believes that women too can achieve liberation from '' Saṃsāra'' by being mendicants and through ascetic practices. According to Svetambara Jain texts, from '' Kalpa Sūtra'' onwards, Jainism has had more ''sadhvis'' than ''sadhus'' (female than male mendicants). In Tapa Gacch of the modern era, the ratio of sadhvis to sadhus (nuns to monks) is about 3.5 to 1. This is much higher, and in contrast to the gender ratio historically observed in Buddhism and Hinduism..According to a 2009 publication by Harvey J. Sindima, Jain monastic comm ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Śrāvaka (Jainism)
In Jainism, the word Śrāvaka or Sāvaga (from Jain Prakrit) is used to refer to the Jain laity (householders). The word ''śrāvaka'' has its roots in the word ''śrāvana'', i.e. ''the one who listens'' (to the discourses of the saints). The ''tirthankara'' restores or organises the '' sangha'', a fourfold order of ''muni'' (male monastics), '' aryika'' (female monastics), '' śrāvaka''s (male followers) and ''śrāvikā''s (female followers). In Jainism, there are two kinds of votaries: *The householder (one with minor vows) *The homeless ascetic (one with major vows). According to the Jain text '' Puruşārthasiddhyupāya'': Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, a major Jain text, discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka in detail. Six essentials In Jainism, six essential duties (''avashyakas'') are prescribed for a ''śrāvaka''. These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The six duties are: #Worship of ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Champat Rai Jain
Champat Rai Jain (6 August 1867–2 June 1942) was a Digambara Jain born in Delhi and who studied and practised law in England. He became an influential Jainism scholar and comparative religion writer between 1910s and 1930s who translated and interpreted Digambara texts. In early 1920s, he became religiously active in India and published essays and articles defending Jainism against misrepresentations by colonial era Christian missionaries, contrasting Jainism and Christianity. He founded Akhil Bharatvarsiya Digambara Jain Parisad in 1923 with the aim of activist reforms and uniting the south Indian and north Indian Digambara community. He visited various European countries to give lectures on Jainism. He was conferred with the title ''Vidya-Varidhi'' (lit. Ocean of Wisdom) by Bharata Dharma Mahamandal (The India-Religious Association). Life Champat Rai Jain was born on 6 August 1867 in Delhi, India. He was married at the age of 13. In 1892, he went to England to study la ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dharma (Jainism)
Jain texts assign a wide range of meaning to the Sanskrit ''dharma'' or Prakrit ''dhamma''. It is often translated as “religion” and as such, Jainism is called ''Jain Dharma'' by its adherents. In Jainism, the word "Dharma" is used to refer the following: religion; dharmastikaay (the principle of motion) as a dravya (substance or a reality); the true nature of a thing; and ten virtues like forgiveness, etc., also called ten forms of dharma. Religion Usage of the word "dharma" in reference to the religion include: Ahimsa as Dharma According to Jain texts, Ahimsa is the greatest dharma (अहिंसा परमॊ धर्मः hiṃsā paramo dharmaḥ "non-violence is the highest religion") and there is no religion equal to the religion of non-violence. Dharma bhāvanā Jain texts prescribe meditation on twelve forms of reflection (''bhāvanā'') for those who wish to stop the influx of ''karmas'' that extend transmigration. One such reflection is ''Dharma ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jain Texts
Jain literature () refers to the literature of the Jainism, Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initially transmitted orally. The oldest surviving material is contained in the canonical ''Jain Agamas'', which are written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, Ardhamagadhi, a Prakrit (Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle-Indo Aryan) language. Various commentaries were written on these canonical texts by later Jain monasticism, Jain monks. Later works were also written in other languages, like Sanskrit and Maharashtri Prakrit. Jain literature is primarily divided between the canons of the ''Digambara'' and ''Śvētāmbara'' orders. These two main sects of Jainism do not always agree on which texts should be considered authoritative. More recent Jain literature has also been written in other languages, like Marathi language, Marathi, Tamil language, Tamil, Rajasthani language, Rajasthani, Dhundari language, Dhundari, Marwari language, Marwari, Hindi language, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Avasarpiṇī
''Avasarpiṇī'' (), is the descending half of the cosmic time cycle in Jainism and the one in which the world is said to be at present. According to Jain texts the ''Avasarpiṇī'' is marked by a decline in goodness and religion. The ascending half of the cycle is called '' Utsarpiṇī'', which is marked by the ascent of goodness and religion. Overview Jaina cosmology divides the worldly cycle of time (''kalpakāla'') in two parts or half-cycles (kāla) – ascending (''utsarpiṇī'') and descending (''avasarpiṇī'') – each consisting of 10 x 1 crore x 1 crore addhāsāgaropama (10 kotikotī sāgaropama). Thus, one cycle of time (''kalpakāla'') gets over in 20 ''kotikotī sāgaropama''. During the ascending period (utsarpiṇī) of the half-cycle (''kāla''), in the regions of Bharata and ''Airāvata'', there is the all-round increase in age, strength, stature and happiness of the living beings, while during the descending period (''avasarpiṇī'') of the half-cy ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sallekhana
(IAST: ), also known as ''samlehna'', ''santhara'', ''samadhi-marana'' or ''sanyasana-marana'', is a supplementary vow to the ethical code of conduct of Jainism. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids. It is viewed in Jainism as the thinning of human passions and the body, and another means of destroying rebirth-influencing karma by withdrawing all physical and mental activities. It is not considered a suicide by Jain scholars because it is not an act of passion, nor does it employ poisons or weapons. After the ''sallekhana'' vow, the ritual preparation and practice can extend into years. is a vow available to both Jain ascetics and householders. Historic evidence such as ''nishidhi'' engravings suggest was observed by both men and women, including queens, in Jain history. However, in the modern era, death through ''sallekhana'' has been a relatively uncommon event. There is debate about the prac ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sangha
Sangha or saṃgha () is a term meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community". In a political context, it was historically used to denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom, and for a long time, it has been used by religious associations, including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Given this history, some Buddhists have stated that the tradition of the ''sangha'' represents humanity's oldest surviving democratic institution. In Buddhism, ''sangha'' refers to the monastic communities of ''bhikkhu'' (monks) and '' bhikkhuni'' (nuns). These communities are traditionally referred to as the ''bhikkhu-sangha'' or the ''bhikkhuni-sangha''. As a separate category, those Buddhists who have attained any of the four stages of enlightenment, whether or not they are members of the monastic community, are referred to as the ''āryasaṅgha'' ("noble Sangha"). According to the Theravada school and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, the term ''sangha'' does not refer to ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sangat (Sikhism)
In Sikhism, sangat refers to the community of followers, sometimes referred to as a "congregation." There were Manji dioceses composed of sangats Sikhs in a particular area. Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru, established the masand system to oversee sangats. The sangats contributed their ''dasvandh Dasvandh (, also translated as 'tithe', alternatively spelt as daswandh) is the one tenth part (or 10%) of one's income that one should donate, both financially (as a tithe) and directly in the form of '' seva'', according to Sikh principles. ...'' tithe to their local religious overseer, who would submit them to the Sikh guru to form a common-fund. Over time, the masands became corrupt and therefore Guru Gobind Singh abolished them and established direct contact with the sangats himself, not relying on any intermediaries. After the abolishment of the masands, the sangats brought their donations to the guru themselves when they visited him during festivals. References Further ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Allahabad
Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benares). It is the administrative headquarters of the Prayagraj district, the most populous district in the state and 13th most populous district in India and the Prayagraj division. The city is the judicial capital of Uttar Pradesh with the Allahabad High Court being the highest judicial body in the state. Prayagraj is the List of cities in Uttar Pradesh by population, seventh most populous city in the state, list of North Indian cities by population, thirteenth in North India, Northern India and List of cities in India by population, thirty-sixth in India, with an estimated population of 1.53 million in the city. In 2011, it was ranked the world's 40th fastest-growing city. The city, in 2016, was also ranked the third most liveable Urba ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |