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Holidays and Festivals Around the World
Jainism
Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions. It is believed to be at least 5000 years old since the first Tirthankar, Rishabhdev was mention in the oldest Hindu scripture. There are currently around 4.2 million followers of Jainism around the world.
It does not believe in a creator, but a cyclical universe that has no beginning and no end. Living creatures have unending circle of life, death and re-birth which can be overcome. When it overcome, the soul becomes liberated to its original state of infinite bliss and power and it becomes God.
There are Nav Tattvas (nine fundamentals) of Jainism:
- Jiva (soul)
- Ajiva (non-living matter)
- Punya (results of good deeds)
- Pap (results of bad deeds)
- Asrava (influx of karmas)
- Samvar (stoppage of karmas)
- Bandh (bondage of karmas)
- Nirjara (eradication of karmas)
- Moksha (liberation)
There also the five main principles:
- Ahimsa (Nonviolence) not to cause harm to any living beings
- Satya (Truthfulness) to speak the harmless truth only
- Asteya (Non-stealing)not to take anything not properly given
- Brahmacharya (Chastity) not to indulge in sensual pleasure
- Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment) complete detachment from people, places, and material things
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| April 18 | Mahavira Jayanti | Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavir, who was the founder of modern Jainism. |
| August 28 | Paryushana | An 8 – 10 day festival (depending on sect) celebrating and observing the ten cardinal virtues of Jainism: forgiveness, charity, simplicity, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, fasting, detachment, humility and continence. |
| October 28 | Diwali | Celebrates the liberation of Lord Mahavira from the endless circle of birth and rebirth (his death). |
| *Holidays in bold are the most important holidays. | ||
Last Updated: 12-Mar-2008
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