ASKiIMAN™ REALM 70 / JAINISM
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The Path of Non-Violence

Ahimsa, Tirthankaras, Anekantavada & The Pure Soul

REALM 70 — JAINISM

MICRO-REALM 01

The Tirthankaras

  • A "Ford-maker" who creates a bridge across the ocean of rebirth (Samsara).
  • Jainism venerates 24 Tirthankaras in the current cosmic age.
  • Rishabhanatha was the first; Parshvanatha was the 23rd.
MICRO-REALM 02

Mahavira

  • Vardhamana Mahavira (c. 599–527 BCE), the 24th and final Tirthankara.
  • A contemporary of the Buddha, he reorganized and formalized Jain tenets.
  • Symbolized by the Lion; attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after 12 years of severe asceticism.
MICRO-REALM 03

Ahimsa

  • "Non-violence" — the supreme foundational principle of Jainism ( Ahimsa Paramo Dharma ).
  • Extends to all living beings, requiring a strictly vegetarian diet and mindful actions to avoid harming insects or plants.
MICRO-REALM 04

Anekantavada

  • The doctrine of "many-sidedness" or multiplicity of reality.
  • Truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view.
  • Encourages intellectual tolerance and warns against absolute dogmatism.
MICRO-REALM 05

Aparigraha

  • The vow of "Non-attachment" to worldly possessions.
  • Attachment leads to greed, jealousy, and eventually violence.
  • For monks, it means owning absolutely nothing; for laypeople, it means limiting desires and accumulating minimal wealth.
MICRO-REALM 06

Digambara & Svetambara

  • The two main sects divided around the 3rd century BCE.
  • Digambara ("Sky-clad"): Monks wear no clothes, representing total Aparigraha.
  • Svetambara ("White-clad"): Monks and nuns wear simple white seamless clothes.
MICRO-REALM 07

Loka (Cosmology)

  • The universe is uncreated, eternal, and shaped like a cosmic man standing with arms akimbo.
  • Divided into Urdhva (heavens), Madhya (earthly realms), and Adho Loka (hells).
  • Liberated souls reside at the very top (Siddhashila).
MICRO-REALM 08

Jain Agamas

  • The canonical texts based on Mahavira's teachings, originally passed down orally.
  • Compiled by his chief disciples (Ganadharas) in the Prakrit language (Ardhamagadhi).
  • Svetambaras accept 45 Agamas; Digambaras believe the original texts were lost.
MICRO-REALM 09

Temple Architecture

  • Known for breathtaking, intricately carved white marble complexes.
  • Famous examples: Dilwara Temples (Mt. Abu), Ranakpur, and Palitana (a city of temples on a hill).
  • Usually feature a central Chaumukha (four-faced) idol design.
MICRO-REALM 10

Sallekhana

  • The ultimate ascetic vow of peacefully fasting to death (Santhara).
  • Undertaken only when death is imminent or physical duties can no longer be performed.
  • Seen as a spiritual cleansing to ensure a peaceful detachment from the body, not suicide.
MICRO-REALM 11

The Nature of Karma

  • Unlike other religions, Jainism views Karma as physical, microscopic matter floating in the universe.
  • Passions (anger, greed) act like glue, causing Karmic dirt to stick to the pure soul (Jiva).
  • Asceticism (Tapas) burns away this accumulated dirt (Nirjara).
MICRO-REALM 12

The Emblem

  • Adopted in 1974.
  • Hand: Ahimsa.
  • Swastika: The 4 realms of rebirth (heaven, hell, human, flora/fauna).
  • 3 Dots: Ratnatraya (Right Faith, Knowledge, Conduct).
  • Crescent: Siddhashila, abode of liberated souls.