Asceticism

1
Asceticism

• Root of word comes from Greek askein, meaning, to
  work, or to train the body.
• A system of self-denial or discipline, primarily
  of the body, in pursuit of religious values.
  Usually, areas of human life affected by
  asceticism focus on food, sleep, possessions, and
  sexual self-control.
• Examples include the Carthusian monks and their
  silence, and Jainism

2
Jainism and World-Denial

• Rigorous,
• Cosmologically Consistent ASCETICISM

3
Mahavira (599-527 BCE)

• Reformer of Jainism
• Articulated the forms of Jainism that continue to
  this day
• Understood as the most recent living Thirtankara
  in Jainism
• He lived over 2500 years ago

4
Navakar Mantra

• I bow to the Arhats (Prophets).
• I bow to the Siddhas (Liberated Souls)
• I bow to the Acharyas (Ascetic Leaders)
• I bow to the Upadhyaya (Ascetic Teachers)
• I bow to all the Sadhus (Jain Saints)
• Note that all of these beings are ascetics

5
Tirthankaras and Deities

• The Tirthankaras, as realized beings who have
  left karmic ties behind, are the true heroes,
  while the Jain Deities are lower beings who live
  blissful and long lives, but are still subject to
  death
• TirthankarasDeities
• AsceticsThose who worship ascetics

6
Mahaviras Five Great Moral Values

• Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - not to cause harm to any
  living beings
• Truthfulness (Satya) - to speak the harmless
  truth only
• Non-stealing (Asteya) - not to take anything not
  properly given
• Chastity (Brahmacharya) - not to indulge in
  sensual pleasure
• Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) -
  complete detachment from people, places, and
  material things.

7
Sallekhana

• Voluntary death by refraining from eating
• Sallekhana takes time, allowing for ample
  reflection on life and death
• Not eating limits the accumulation of negative
  karma from killing living beings, and helps purge
  one of attachments.
• The person choosing sallekhana receives support
  from the Jain community.

8
Sallekhana

• Is Sallekhana suicide?
• Go to http//indiatraveller.blogspot.com/ for
  some pictures

9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)