Re: Jains

Steve Mizrach (SEEKER1@NERVM.NERDC.UFL.EDU)
Mon, 24 Oct 1994 01:10:36 +0000

>
>From what I have read, Jainas strive for thruth through certain physical
>practices, like fasting and meditation, and by following the teachings of
>the Mahashivas (sp?). As far as I can determine, the don't regularly
>search out new religions and their doctrines. Until a new Mahashiva
>comes along, they follow the teachings of the previous ones.
>I am not a Jain and don't even know one. If I am off base, would someone
>let me know?

Hmm, in response to you and Maureen Korp, I think I remember reading once that:

1. The Jain attitude toward religion is basically pragmatic, namely that
all the various deities are basically attempts to relate to an indefinable
Divinity, and that a person should worship whatever deities enable them to
render It comprehensible, but should not consider any of those deities
"Real".

2. The Jain attitude toward belief is mostly relativistic; in fact, I think
I remember reading that they believed in the existence of five levels of
truth.

3. The Jains do not believe in the exclusivity of revelation, but like
Buddhists feel that the insights of their teachers can be found through
personal experience (yoga and meditation) rather than being taken on faith.

(My second stab would have been Bahai'sm or Taoism, but I might have had a
tougher time with them.)

Yours,


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