The Jain Temple at Ranakpur
Jainism was founded in the late 6th century
BC by Mahavira, who was born in
540BC[1]
in the region of India today known as Bihar. Like Buddha, he is believed
to have been born into a royal family. The Jain religion shares with
Buddhism a belief in the transmigration of souls from one life to the
next. The Jains respect for all living things guides their daily life;
strict Jains wear masks to avoid breathing in insects, thereby killing
them inadvertently. They are strict vegetarians, not even eating root
vegetables as harvesting them disturbs organisms in the
soil.[2]
Jains revere 24 tirthankaras, the first twenty-three of which,
starting with the first tirthankara, Adinath, are from a previous
time and the last being the real life Mahavira. Tirhankaras are
much like the Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism, in that they are
enlightened beings who help guide people from one life to the next.
In Jain art they are usually depicted nude in rigid frontal
poses — their nudity symbolizes their lack
of concern for the material things of this world.
Jainism was widespread throughout India from the
7th–15th centuries, especially in Rajasthan
and Gujarat, which have many exquisite Jain temples, like this
15th century one in Ranakpur. There are believed to be
about four million Jains in India today.
[1]Traditionally his birthdate is thought to be closer to
600BC. The date of 540BC is based on modern
scholarship.
[2]There is an alternative explanation for not eating root
vegetables: harvesting them kills the entire plant, whereas eating
fruits, grains, and pulses does not. Jains are also not
vegans — dairy products are permitted, though eggs and honey are
not.
Photo taken: February 5, 2008
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