Lauren Brooks

10/21/2014
Religions in America
Research Project

Jainism

The religion I chose to focus on is Jainism its a minority religion, which dates
back to the 6th century B.C. in India. Jainism derives its name from the jinas, which
means conquerors given to teachers (tirthankaras) through whom their faith was
revealed. The founder of the religion was Mahavira, the last of the tirthankaras.
Jainism first arrived in the United States in the 20th century; the main immigration
was in the 1970s. A man named Virachand Gandhi was officially the first delegate to
visit the United States. He is one of the main figures in the religion. The first temple
in the United States was in St. Louis; it was put there for the St. Louis Worlds Fair.
After the fair occurred they moved the temple to Las Vegas the temple was re
located to Los Angeles where it currently stands. The bulk of Jainism came here in
the 20th century and they currently have more than 6,111,056 members of Jainism
in the world today and around 25,00 in the United States.
The symbol for the Jain religion has many meanings. The outline of the
symbol is the universe. The lower part represents the seven hells. The raised hand
means stop, think before you doing anything it represents no violence. The four

arms of the swastika is a reminder that during the cycles of birth and death they
may be born into any one of the four destinies: heavenly beings, human beings,
animal beings, (including birds, bugs, and plants) and hellish beings. The three dots
represent the three jewels of Jainism, right of knowledge, right to conduct together,
liberation.(Jain Symbol 2)

The Jain belief system promotes religious asceticism and non-violent action.
Jainism has their historical roots in Hinduism, but there are many differences
between the two Indian religions. The followers of the Jain religion believe that
there is a material and spiritual realm. They believe that both realities are eternal
and that human beings can, and do, engage in both. Which affects not just this life
but the next one as well. Jainism has distinct beliefs about karma, which
differentiates them from Hindu and Buddhism.(Jain beliefs 1)
Jains believe that the universe and everything in it is eternal. Nothing that
exists now was ever created, nor will it be destroyed. The universe consists of three
realms: the heavens, the earthly realm and the hells. There are seven levels of

heaven in Jain beliefs. The top level, "the Realm of the Jinas" is reserved for liberated
souls. The next level is the realm of the gods. The earthly realm, or jambudnoa is
divided into seven regions by six mountain ranges. The eight hells become
progressively colder as they go down.(Jain Beliefs 1)
The Jain has a religion with the understanding of an uncreated and eternal
universe, which leaves little room for a God or Creator. They do how ever believe in
a prefect universal presence, as well as multiple deities who dwell in the heavens
as mentioned above. They believe that humans may call on the deities for assistance
and help. One of the most important deities is Ambika, the mother goddess of
Jainism; she is the patron for prosperity, childbirth, and protection of women. (Jain
Beliefs 1)
The purpose of life is to attain moksa, or release, from the cycle of rebirth.
There are five levels on the path of human development. Ordinary laypersons are
householders. When householders decide to undertake the renounced life, they first
must live with monks or nuns for a time. If, after learning more about religion and
observing the renounced life, they still wish to undertake it, they take the five vows
and become a sadhu or a sadhvi. In addition to keeping these vows carefully, Jain
monks and nuns observe other special practices that set them apart.(Religion facts
1)
Acharyas are special spiritual leaders. They have mastered the Jain
scriptures, as well as several languages and knowledge of many religions. Their lives
exemplify spiritual perfection and they are able to help lead the community.

Death and after life beliefs of a Jain depends on one's karma and level of
spiritual development. Death may mean being reborn in a different physical
appearance in the earthly realm. Suffering punishment in one of eight hells or
joining other liberated souls in the highest level of heaven. Unlike hell imagery in
most other religions, the eight hells of Jainism become progressively colder as they
go down. Suffering in these hells is not eternal. Once a soul has been severely
punished, he or she is reborn into another form, and moved up in the levels of hell.
Jainism has many holidays in they have a day of specific tradition for each
month. Some of the days are meant to celebrate the prophets and fasting to
forgiveness and light. (Jain Holidays 3)
Some of the struggles the Jainism faced when the migrated to the United States
included proselytising by other religious groups, persecution, and withdrawal of
royal patronage, sectarian fragmentation and the absence of central leadership.
They have had a rivalry with Buddhism and various Hindu sects. The Jain religion
has suffered isolated violent persecutions by these groups. Although they have had a
hard struggle they have flourished in the United States. The community is small in
the United States. For it being a minority religion it they are one of the more known
minority religions in America. They have built temples in America to help keep their
faith strong and they have over 25 in the U.S. today. Jainism as a whole is doing well
despite their trials in America. They plan to keep getting their message out
peacefully.

Works Citied

1. What does a Jainism Believe? Jain Beliefs. October 21,2014. 2014.

2. Jain Symbol. Jain world, website. Jain education association. October 21,
2014. 2013.

3. Major Jain Holidays and Dates. India-religion, website. Lisa a University of

Virginia, Anthropology and Asian Studies major. October 21, 2014.
2014.