Articles on Jain Terminology
Exploring Jain Terminology: Shraman Dharma and Self-Reliance
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2021
The Bhogilal Leharchand Institute of Indology, located within the Vijay Vallabh Smarak Tirth Mandir Complex in Delhi, is a research and educational institution focused on Indian philosophy, particularly Prakrit language and Jain scriptures. Established in…
Understanding Tapa: Jain Penance Practices and Their Significance
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2021
Tapa, or penance, is the seventh of the ten virtues celebrated by Digambaras during Das Lakshana Parva, serving as a key religious practice for both monks and Jain householders. Its primary purpose is to control attachments and aversions, enabling individuals…
Understanding Jain Terminology: Samavaya and Five Causes
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2021
The text explains Jain terminology, focusing on Samavaya Sam (right knowledge) and the interconnectedness of causes and actions. It highlights the Jain philosophy of Anekantavada, which emphasizes viewing matters from multiple perspectives rather than a…
Understanding Karma: Theory, Types, and Liberation in Jainism
By Dilip V. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
Karma, central to Jain philosophy, governs a soul's destiny through the natural law of cause and effect, where thoughts, words, and actions generate consequences. Kashaya—anger, ego, deceit, and greed—bind karma to the soul, encapsulating the principle "what…
Exploring Jain Scriptures: Agam Literature and Its Historical Transmission
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
Jain scriptures, known as Agam literature, encompass diverse texts recognized across sects, emphasizing reverence for life, karma, nonviolence, and asceticism. Mahavira, after attaining enlightenment, taught in Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit for 30 years, compiling 12…
Jain Philosophy of Nonviolence and Vegetarianism
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
Vegetarianism in Jainism stems from the principle of Ahimsa (nonviolence), central to its ethics and practices for over 2,500 years. Rooted in the belief that all life—including water, trees, and animals—possesses consciousness and energy, Jainism emphasizes…
Jain Philosophy of Nonviolence and Vegetarianism
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
Vegetarianism in Jainism stems from the principle of Ahimsa (nonviolence), central to its ethics and practices for over 2,500 years. Rooted in the belief that all life—including water, trees, and animals—possesses consciousness and energy, Jainism emphasizes…
Understanding Anekantvad: Jainism's Principle of Non-Absolutism
By Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
Jain Avenue explains Anekantvad, a core Jain principle emphasizing non-absolutism and acceptance of multiple viewpoints. Derived from "Anek" (many) and "Vad" (opinions), it advocates recognizing diverse perspectives arising from varying circumstances,…
Jain Perspectives on Yoga: Paths to Liberation
By Dilip V. Shah, Jitendra B. Shah · Jain Avenue, 2020
The PDF content discusses the concept of yoga within Jainism, emphasizing its role as a path to liberation rather than merely a physical practice. It clarifies that yoga encompasses any activity performed with self-awareness and in alignment with the guidance…