Some questions I have on Jainism, anyone with proficient knowledge in the religion, p

I believe Jainism holds more truths than any religion I have ever studied. I understand that they do not believe that there is a God or higher deity, but do they believe in a higher power or force, or anything along those lines?
The things that I realize I don?t have parallel beliefs with is that I believe in a higher power and that I eat garlic and onions, and from what I understand Jainist don?t believe in eating them because they are seen as creating anger and hatred, and also because sometimes I travel after sunset/before sunrise.
The only other thing I don?t really understand is the belief that a happy or miserable existence is influenced by actions in previous births. Does this mean that during horrible times in our history such as the holocaust, or when children are abused, women are raped, etc. it is because of what the victim did or considered as their fault?
Any help in clarifying some of these things by individuals who seriously knows the religion would be appreciated.
Dunc, I think you were answering the wrong question. It didn't apply to my questions at all. I know that Jainism is about non-violence and respecting all life, two of the many things I find very beautiful about the religion.
Jainism is certainly not about self-denial. The religion has you really take a look at yourself and find out whom you really are.
Shvetambar Jainist wear clothes.
I don?t mean any offense but it kind of seems like you don?t know a whole lot about the religion, instead you copied and pasted something from somewhere.

Indigo, I am not proficient with Jainism but there are other paths (mine) which teach that a happy or miserable existence is influenced by actions in previous births. This is explained by the universal law of karma and reincarnation. Karma is action, and the result of action. For every cause, there is an effect. If one puts forth an ill thought out cause, they must live out the effects of the cause they put into action. There are three types of karma. Most karma is paid in subsequent lifetimes, although some can be paid in the same lifetime. This would explain why bad things happen to good people or seemingly "innocent" people.

From JainUniversity.org:

Jainism believes that universe and all its substances or entities are eternal. It has no beginning or end with respect to time. Universe runs on its own accord by its own cosmic laws. All the substances change or modify their forms continuously. Nothing can be destroyed or created in the universe. There is no need of some one to create or manage the affairs of the universe. Hence Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe.

However Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being. When a person destroys all his karma's, he becomes a liberated soul. He lives in a perfect blissful state in Moksha forever. The liberated soul possesses infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss. This living being is a God of Jain religion.


I hope this has been of *some* help.

Jainism is one of the major religious traditions to originate in ancient India. Like Buddhism, Jainism developed at a time when people were questioning the established norms of social conduct and religious ideology. Jains do not believe in a creator, god who punishes or rewards. Instead the emphasis is on human responsibility, with each individual soul being responsible for its own spiritual progress. Jainism teaches equality of all souls, regardless of creed, caste or gender. The basic principles stress non-violence (ahems), care for life in all its forms and many-pointedness (incarnated) which affirms that reality can be viewed from a number of different perspectives

Hi,


I have no answer to all of your questions but would like to tell about the theory of Karma, which Jainism ta ks about.

Its not that everything which happens a person is BC of his perilous fault, but it may be the fault of other people. So its not necessary as you asked that all who get abused were in fault of there own. it may be that they were Innocent in all there lives(perilous/current).

I you are really interested to know about Jainism. will suggest to read some books by Mahapyagya, who believe to be one of the dominant Philippe in current era.

regards
regards