Syllabus
Jainism: religion or philosophy? Structure of Indian thinking. Origin of Jainism-three theories.
Understanding of time in Jainism. „Paradise“ time and decline. Way to liberation-Moksh Marg.
Six dravyas and nine tatvas. Jaina symbol.
Five auspicious events in the life of a tirthankar-pancha kalyanaka. Comparison of Mahavira and Buddha.
Jainism after Mahavira, disciples-ganadharas. Schisma-svetambaras and digambaras.
Scriptures. Mahatma Gandhi.
Samayika pratikramana puja, Mastakaabhisheka etc. - worship. Pilgrimage. „Gods“-devas and their relationship to Jainism.
Annotation
The whole Indian tradition cen be divided into two branches. The Vedic or Brahmanic tradition, from which
Hinduism sprang out and the Ascetic or Shramana tradition, where we can find Jainism and younger Buddhism.
Jainism is the oldest surviving part of this tradition. In these lectures we can see the fundamental principals of t it and we can follow the way both traditions mutually influenced.