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ECONOMICS OF LORD ECONOMICS OF LORD MAHAVIRA: AN MAHAVIRA: AN

ANALYSISANALYSIS

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What is Jainism?What is Jainism? Jainism is a way of life and one of the oldest religions of the world. Jainism is a way of life and one of the oldest religions of the world. It believes in a cyclical nature of universe. It discourages superstition It believes in a cyclical nature of universe. It discourages superstition

and blind faith and encourages free and rational thinking.and blind faith and encourages free and rational thinking. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and

discipline.discipline. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human

beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the “Gods” of through meditation and self realization. They are the “Gods” of Jains.Jains.

Jains have always practiced non-violence, vegetarianism, meditation, Jains have always practiced non-violence, vegetarianism, meditation, yoga, and environmentalism.yoga, and environmentalism.

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What are the Principles of Jainism?What are the Principles of Jainism?

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What are Basic Philosophies of Jainism?What are Basic Philosophies of Jainism?

Jainism believes in Godhood but does not believe God to be the First Jainism believes in Godhood but does not believe God to be the First Cause. God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the universe.Cause. God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the universe.

““God” does not Punish or Reward God” does not Punish or Reward Each person is responsible for improving life by one’s self-endeavorEach person is responsible for improving life by one’s self-endeavor Each person is capable of achieving GodhoodEach person is capable of achieving Godhood

All Living Beings have Souls & are EqualAll Living Beings have Souls & are Equal All life is sacredAll life is sacred Therefore, living in peace & harmony is essentialTherefore, living in peace & harmony is essential

Elimination of our Karmas is the Path to Liberation Elimination of our Karmas is the Path to Liberation & Achievement of Godhood& Achievement of Godhood It requires multiple re-birthsIt requires multiple re-births

Ultimate Goal of LifeUltimate Goal of Life To be free from all karmaTo be free from all karma

Equality

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Who Is Lord Mahavir?Who Is Lord Mahavir?

Lord Mahavir - 24Lord Mahavir - 24thth (and final) Tirthankara (and final) Tirthankara Born on March 30, 599 B.C. (about 2600 years ago) as a prince Born on March 30, 599 B.C. (about 2600 years ago) as a prince

in Bihar, India. He attained nirvana in the year 527 B.C. at the in Bihar, India. He attained nirvana in the year 527 B.C. at the age of 72. age of 72.

The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain the The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain the total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, and death, and total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, and death, and achieve the permanent blissful state (known as liberation, achieve the permanent blissful state (known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.) nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.)

He shaped the present form of Jainism. Lord Mahavir He shaped the present form of Jainism. Lord Mahavir envisioned men and women to be on equal footing in the envisioned men and women to be on equal footing in the matters of spiritual advancement.matters of spiritual advancement.

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Jain SymbolsJain Symbols

Palm – signifies assurance; to have faith and change the path of righteousness.Wheel of Dharma – 24 spokes represent the 24 Tirthankaras. The word inside the wheel is ahimsa.

Digit of moon – (region of liberated souls) Three dots – (Right Perception/Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct)Overall meaning – After removing all of their karmas, living beings will reside in the world of liberated souls.

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What does Jainism Teach about Ecology?What does Jainism Teach about Ecology?

Non-Possessiveness / AparigrahaNon-Possessiveness / Aparigraha Self-restraint is the second most Self-restraint is the second most

important Jain principle.important Jain principle. Minimizing consumption provides Minimizing consumption provides

respect for others’ life and environment.respect for others’ life and environment. Reuse / Recycle Products – Do not Reuse / Recycle Products – Do not

waste the gifts of nature.waste the gifts of nature. Share resources.Share resources. Nature provides enough for our Nature provides enough for our

NEED, but not enough for our NEED, but not enough for our GREED.GREED.

Environmentalism

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World ReligionWorld Religion

““What holds one from falling from What holds one from falling from

spiritual degeneration is religion.”spiritual degeneration is religion.”

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TimelineTimeline

571ADMohammed

Judaism

Christianity

Jainism

Hinduism

Islam

2600BCAbraham

2200BCExodus from Egypt

30BCChrist

Beginning-less / Endless

Beginning-less / Endless

557BC, Mahavir

483BCGautam Buddha

1940sAD Israel

Buddhism

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Life CyclesLife Cycles

Jainism: Cycle of Life

Western:Linearity of Life

birth:pure state

death

heaven

hellenlightenment

cycle of life/death

elimination of karmic bondage

nirvana

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Jain BeliefsJain Beliefs

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How Does Jainism Bring Change?How Does Jainism Bring Change?

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Multi Step ApproachMulti Step Approach

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Thank You

DR. MANISHA LODHA