Jain Glossary

AHIMSA. The principle of noninury, nonviolence, and respect for all life.

ANGABAHYA. Subsidiary scriptural writings containing commentaries and eulogistic works praising Jain leaders and saints, as well as the Great Rununciation and Enlightenment of Mahavira; accepted by Svetambara Jains.

ANGAS. Literally, "limbs"; the central scritpures of Svetambara Jainism.

DIGAMBARA. Means "sky-clad" and refers to those Jain monks who wander naked.

HIMSA. Vionece or injury to life.

JINA. A "conquerer" or victor; one who has attained enlightenment or infinite insight. This word is the root from which the word Jainism is derived. It may also be used as a synonym for tirthankara.

JIVA. The spirit contained within all living things, be they human, animal, or plant.

KARMA-MATTER. The substance that contaminatess a person's soul as the consequence of evil deeds, causing the soul to sink in the universe and on the scale of existence.

KEVALA-JNANA. Enlightenment which involves the gaining of infinite knowledge.

MAHAVIRA. The title (and name) of the founder of Jainism, meaning "great one"; also known as Vardhamana.

MONAD. A human soul.

NIGANTHA NATAPUTTA. another name for Mahavira found in Buddhist literature.

PATNA. A village near the site of Mahavira's death; one of the most holy places to Jains and hence the goal of pilgrimages.

SADHU. A Jain monk.

SIDDHANTA. The sole body of Digambara Jain scripture.

SURABHI. In Jain mythology, the first cow; considered to be one of the original treasures to appear on eart.

SVETAMBARA. Means "white-clad" and refers to those Jain monks who wear a white robe or loincloth.

TIRTHANKARA. Means "ford-finder." Mahavira is considered the twehty-fourth and last "ford-finder" of this aeon. He, like the previous ones, found the way to gain release from the wheel and has shown this way to others.

WORKS CITED

Palmer, Spencer J., Rober R. Keller, Dong Sull Choi, and James A. Toronto. Religions of the World. BYU Press, 1997.

Posted by john at August 14, 2005 06:00 PM