Q-1 Who was the founder of Jainism?

Ans. Jains believe that their religion is extremely ancient. The Lord Mahavira, who died in 527 BC, was the last of a long series of prophets (Tirthankara). He followed an existing religion, which Jains believe was established by Rishabhdev, who lived countless centuries before.

Q-2 Is there any one principle above all which characterizes Jainism?

Ans. Yes. The fundamental principle of Jainism is Ahimsa or nonviolence towards all living things however insignificant to our eyes. To a true Jain, violence in though and speech is as bad as physical violence.

Q-3 Surely this (Ahimsa) is impossible to achieve?

Ans. That is not true. Jains recognize that in everyday life for the ordinary person it is almost impossible to avoid all harm to other beings. But every attempt is made to avoid harm and this is obligatory (even at the cost of their own life) on monks and nuns who are not caught up in the business of ordinary life.

Q-4 Does that mean that a Jain will defend himself from violent attacks?

Ans. If unavoidable a layperson (Shravaka and Shravika) may. Violence is bad because of the effect on the victim, but particularly bad for the passions it creates in the perpetrator. But as far as monks and nuns are concerned even self-defense is totally forbidden.

Q-5 Do Jains believe in God?

Ans. Not in the sense of a creator or judge or controller of the universe. The universe is always existing, controlled by its own laws. Every individual soul is potentially God and this is the state of the soul, which has reached Moksha or liberation. (Incidentally Jains do believe that there are heavens beyond this world inhabited by celestial beings who are not eternal but may be reborn as humans or other creatures in due course.)

Q-6 So Jains believe in reincarnation?

Ans. Most definitely. Every soul has passed through countless lives carrying with it the accumulated effects (karma) of its deeds and passions, good and bad.

Q-7 But the soul, you say, can become Godlike in time?

Ans. A soul, born into human life, may become aware of the true aim of existence and may, by meditation and austerity, conquer the passions, purge itself of the accumulated karma, and achieve a total knowledge of the whole nature of the universe and eventually may attain Moksha (or nirvana).

Q-8  What is karma?

Ans. All phenomena are said to be linked together in a universal chain of cause and effect. Every event has a definite cause behind it. By nature each soul is pure, possessing infinite knowledge, bliss, and power. But these qualities are restricted from time immemorial by foreign matter in contact with the soul. This foreign matter is karma. The effects of both good and bad deeds are attached to the soul and are caused forward through subsequent rebirths. When the soul frees itself from all karma, good and bad, it reaches Moksha.

Q-9 Can you describe Moksha?

Ans. Not really, for it is absolutely beyond all human sense experience, a condition of infinite bliss and complete knowledge. The liberated souls live in a timeless totality, yet retaining their individuality in a state which human comprehension cannot reach. These souls are free from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Q-10 Am I, then, right in gathering that the keys to Jain life are faith and knowledge, coupled with ethical conduct arising from these?

Ans. That is exactly right. Jains speak of the `three jewels' of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Right conduct for the lay person means above all nonviolence but also truthfulness, restraint of sensual passions within proper limits, the avoidance of stealing in any form, and the reduction of attachments to material possessions. For monks and nuns the rules are stricter. Jains believe that this conduct will spring from faith in the teachings of their Tirthankara and knowledge of the true ends of existence.

Q-11 Doesn't that sound like a recipe for sainthood?

Ans. A. Perhaps. Let us be honest, not all Jains live up to all the precepts. However, Jains do have a reputation for truthfulness and honesty in business dealings, delinquency seems to be rare among Jain youth, care for animals is a main object of Jain charity and strict vegetarianism is almost universal.

Q-12 Can you say a word or two about Jain monks?

Ans. When a Jain lay person reaches a particular stage of spiritual development, he or she decides to leave worldly affairs and follow the stricter rules for monkhood: total nonviolence, complete truthfulness, control over sensual desire, absolute honesty, and renunciation of possessions.

Q-13 What does Punya mean?

Ans. Whenever we do good deeds we accumulate good karmas which is called Punya.

Q-14 What does the Pap mean?

Ans. Whenever we do bad deeds we accumulate bad karmas, which is called pap.

Q-15 What does the Ashrava mean?

Ans. We get lots of thoughts for doing good or bad things and most of the time we act accordingly and accumulate good or bad karmas. The process of inflow of these karmas to the soul is known as Ashrava.

Q-16 What does the Samvar mean?

Ans. The actual stoppage of the inflow of good or bad karmas to the soul is known as samvar.

Q-17 What does the Bandh mean?

Ans. The accumulation of karmas to the soul is known as Bandh.

Q-18 What does the Nirjara mean?

Ans. The process by which we shed the karmas which are attached to the Soul is known as Nirjara.

Q-19 How many different types of the Nirjaras are there?

Ans. There are two different types of Nirjaras:
1) Akam Nirjara and
2) Sakam Nirjara

Q-20 What is Akam Nirjara?

Ans. The sheding of karmas by passive suffering is known as Akam Nirjara.
For example: To fast when no food is available to eat. By Akam Nirjara it would take ages to get rid of karmas, which we have accumulated.

Q-21 What is Sakam Nirjara?

Ans. The shedding of karmas by active efforts is known as Sakam nirjara. The Sakam Nirjara destroys Karmas very fast and accelerate the end of the cycle of birth and death. For example: To fast with a free will when sufficient food is available.

Q-22 What does the Bandh mean is meant by the Moksha?

Ans. Moksha means salvation that is when a soul has shed off all of its karmas and thereafter, that soul does not go through the cycle of birth and death ever again.

Q-23 What are other names by which Arihants are called?

Ans. They are also called Kevali, Jina, Tirthankar, or Vitragi.

Q-24 What kind of body does a Siddha have?

Ans. Siddhas have no bodies since they have no karmas.

Q-25 How many attributes do Siddhas have?

Ans. Siddhas have eight attributes.

Q-26 Do Siddhas accumulate karmas?

Ans. No, Siddhas do not accumulate karmas.

Q-27 Do Arihants accumulate karmas?

Ans. Yes, Arihants accumulate the karmas, but karmas do not stay for more than a fraction of a second.

Q-28 Where are the Siddhas?

Ans. Siddhas are at Siddhashila which is at the top part of this world (Lokakash).

Q-29 Whom do we pay homage by the Navkar Mantra?

Ans. In Navkar Mantra we pay homage to:
Arihants
Siddhas
Acharyas
Upadhyayas
Sadhus and Sadhvis.

Q-30 Who is Siddha Bhagwant?

Ans. Siddha Bhagwants are those souls who are liberated from this world forever.

Q-31 How many attributes do Arihants have?

Ans. Arihants have twelve attributes.

Q-32 Do Arihants get reborn in worldly life?

Ans. No. Arihants at the time of death destroy all remaining four karmas and get liberated from this world forever.

Q-33 Name the karmas which are already destroyed by Arihants?

Ans. Jnanavarniya Karma
Darshanavarniya Karma
Antaräy Karma
Mohniya Karma

Q-34 Name the karmas, which are not destroyed by Arihants?

Ans. Nam Karma
Gotra Karma
Vedniya Karma
Ayushya Karma

Q-35 Name the karmas which are destroyed by Siddhas?

Ans. Jnanavarniya Karma
Darshanavarniya Karma
Antaray Karma
Mohniya Karma
Nam Karma
Gotra Karma
Vedniya Karma
Ayushya Karma

Q-36 What kind of karmas Siddhas have?

Ans. Siddhas do not have any karmas.

Q-37 Who can become a Siddha?

Ans. Everyone has a potential to be a Siddha.

Q-38 Who is Acharya?

Ans. Acharya is a sadhu who is the leader of other sadhus and the sadhvis and he leads us to the spiritual uplift of the soul, and guides us to the path of liberation.

Q-39 How many attributes do the Acharyas have?

Ans. Thirty- Six

Q-40 Who is Upaddhyay?

Ans. Upadhyay is a sadhu who has studied the scripture in much detail and teaches other sadhus and sadhvis.

Q-41 How many attributes do the Upaddhyayas have?

Ans. Twenty-five

Q-42 Who is Sadhus?

Ans. Sadhu was a male householder who voluntarily renounced the worldly life for the uplift of the soul. He has accepted to follow five major vows.

Q-43 How many attributes do the Sadhus have?

Ans. Twenty-seven

Q-44 Who is Sadhvi?

Ans. Sadhvi was a female householder who voluntarily renounced the worldly life for the uplift of the soul. She has accepted to follow five major vows.

Q-45 What is the Tapasya (Austerity)?

Ans. Tapasya is called austerity which means voluntary restarin from available things and desires, or voluntary suffering to uplift the soul.

Q-46 What are the different types of Tapasyas (Austerity)?

Ans. There are two major types of austerities. They are:
1) External (bahyantar)
2) Internal (abhyantar)
Each one of these two are further sub-divided into six groups.

Q-47 What is the External Tapasyas (Austerity)?

Ans. External austerities are those austerities which when performed can be noticed by other people.

Q-48 What is the Internal Tapasyas (Austerity)?

Ans. Internal austerities are those austerities which when performed, can not be noticed by other people.

Q-49 Can you name the External Tapasyas (Austerity)?

Ans. External austerities are:
1) Anasan
2) Unodari
3) Vruti Sankshep
4) Rasa Tyag
5) Kaya Kalesha
6) Samlinta.

Q-50 Can you name the Internal Tapasyas (Austerity)?

Ans. Internal austerities are:
1) Prayschit
2) Vinay
3) Vaiyavachcha
4) Vyutsarga
5) Swadhyay
6) Dhyan

Q-51 What is Anasan Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Anasan Tapa means fasting for a day, for some days or rest of one’s life by completely renouncing food and water, etc. Anasan is also taken to render death auspiciously.

Q-52 What is Unodari Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Unodari Tapa means eating and drinking (water) less than the extent of one’s hunger and thirst during the meals.

Q-53 What is Vrutti Sankshep Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Vruti Sankshep Tapa means reducing the desires. One must renounce some of the items during the meals.

Q-54 What is Rasa Parityag Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Ras parityag Tapa means renouncing those kinds of foods and drinks that provoke taste, and increases the strength and excitement. There are 14 sub-types of this austerity. It can be done partially or in total for one time or for prolonged time.

Q-55 What is Kaya Kalesha Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Kayaklesh Tapa one makes the body suffer by yoga or staying in one position for a longer time.

Q-56 What is Samlinata Kayaklesh Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Pratisanlinata Tapa one controls all senses to stop pleasant and unpleasant temptations, also controls lying, distorting the truth and sensual talks.

Q-57 What is Prayaschita Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Prayaschit Tapa one confesses the various errors of commission and omission, the faults and the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly to the sadhu, to the person concerned or to oneself. One says Micchchamidukadam. One fully carries out the prescribed atonement by sadhu.

Q-58 What is Vinay Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Vinay Tapa one becomes polite and respectful towards all.

Q-59 What is Vaiyavachch Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Vaiyavachcha Tapa means serving religious teachers, ascetic, virtuous people, sadhu, sadhvies, colleagues, companion and needy people with devotion, including animals.

Q-60 What is Vyutsarga Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Vyutsarga Tapa one stands still and meditates. This austerity is also called Kayotsarga. During this, one renounces the attachment for the body, and takes care of the soul.

Q-61 What is Swadhyay Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. In Swadhyay Tapa one must study, teach and reflect deeply on such sacred books as to inspire one to attain self-realization and enable one to save one’s soul from getting lost in the entanglements of the social life.

Q-62 What is Dhyan Tapa (Austerity)?

Ans. Dhyan Tapa means concentrating the mind on the real nature of the soul.

Q-63 What is the Navkarasi?

Ans. One must take food and water 40 minutes after the sunrise. Even the brushing of the teeth and rinsing the mouths must be done after that time.

Q-64 What is the Porsi?

Ans. Taking food or water three hours after the sunrise.

Q-65 What is the Sadh-Porasi?

Ans. Taking food and water four hours and thirty minutes after the sunrise.

Q-66 What is the Purimuddh?

Ans. Taking food and water six hours after the sunrise.

Q-67 What is the Avaddh?

Ans. Taking food and water eight hours after the sunrise.

Q-68 What is the Biyasan?

Ans. One must take food only twice a day at one sitting each time.

Q-69 What is the Ekasan?

Ans. One takes food once a day sitting in one place. (One should not eat the salad or the raw grains.) One also drinks the boiled water during the daytime.

Q-70 What is the Ayambil?

Ans. One takes food only once in one sitting. Food should be boiled and not have any spices, milk, curd, ghee, oil, and raw vegetables. One drinks only boiled water during the daytime. It is better if one can do the chauvihar or the tivihar the night before.

Q-71 What is the Upavas?

Ans. Upavas means fasting for twenty-four hours from the sunrise today to the sunrise on the next day, during which one does not take any kind of food or liquids but may drink the boiled water. It is preferred if one can do the chauvihar or the tivihar the night before.
a) Tivihar upavas - During this, one does not take any food or drink any liquids except the boiled water only.
b) Chauvihar upavas - During this, one does not take any food or liquids during the day or the night.
What is the Tivihar?
In tivihar one does not take food of any kind including liquids except water after the sunset until the sunrise next day but can take water.

Q-72 What is the Chauvihar?

Ans. Chauvihar means one does not take any food or any liquids after the sunset until the sunrise next day.

Q-73 What is the Attham?

Ans. Attham means upavas for continuous three days.

Q-74 What is the Atthai?

Ans. Atthai means upavas for continuous eight days.

Q-75 What is the Maskhaman?

Ans. Maskhaman means upavas for continuous one month.

Q-76 What is the Navapad Oli?

Ans. During every year, one does ayambils for 9 days starting on the bright fortnight either on 6th or 7th day in Ashwin and Chaitra months for a period of four and one-half years. Some people may take only one kind of food grain on a given day.

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Information Courtesy : Mr. Pravin K. Shah
Chairperson JAINA Education Committee
 Federation of Jain Associations in North America 
509 Carriage Woods Circle Raleigh, NC 27607-3969 USA 
Email - Pkshah1@attglobal.net  
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Mail to :- Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
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