21. Jainism

⚖️The Subtle Matter That Shapes Your Destiny | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: Karma Beyond Action and Reaction In many traditions, karma is loosely understood as “what goes around comes around.” But in Jainism, karma is far more precise, material, and scientifically structured. In Jain Dharma, karma is not a metaphor or moral consequence—it is a real, subtle substance that literally sticks to the soul. This binding is not random. It follows universal laws, making Jain…

🪞 Jain Reflections to Cultivate Detachment and Inner Liberation | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: Why the Mind Must Be Trained In Jainism, the journey to liberation is not just about what we do, but how we think. Without transforming the mind, actions remain superficial. To aid this transformation, Jain seers prescribed 12 deep meditative reflections called Bhāvanās (भावना) to help seekers develop detachment (vairāgya) and right understanding (samyag darśana). These aren’t religious rituals or philosophical…

✋Ancient Vows for Modern Liberation | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: Vows that Transcend Time In the 6th century BCE, amidst a society burdened with rituals, social inequality, and violence masked as sacrifice, Mahāvīra—the 24th Tīrthaṅkara of Jainism—offered a radical alternative: freedom through self-discipline. Not through belief, but through ethical conduct and internal transformation. At the heart of his teaching lie the Five Mahāvratas—the Great Vows. These are not mere rules; they are sacred declarations of…

🌌The Five Eternal Realities of Jain Philosophy | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: What Truly Exists? Jain philosophy begins with one of the deepest inquiries a seeker can ask: “What is real? What exists forever, and what is merely an illusion?” In answering this, Jainism lays down its metaphysical foundation in the form of the “Pañcāstikāya”—the Five Existents (pañca asti kāya, literally, “five that have being and body/form”). These are the five eternal substances (dravyas) that…

🛕 Sacred Pilgrimages of Purity & Peace | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: Temples as Silent Teachers In Jain Dharma, liberation is through inner purification, not rituals or divine intervention. Yet, temples—especially Jain temples—play a vital role in inspiring detachment, reflection, and reverence for the Tīrthaṅkaras. Jain temples are not just places of worship. They are: Across India, Jain temples rise from mountains, deserts, forests, and cities—each telling stories of devotion, renunciation, and sublime art. Let…

⚖️A Deep Dive into the Two Major Jain Sects | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: Unity in Diversity Within Jain Dharma Jainism, though remarkably consistent in its core spiritual principles—Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-possession), and Samyak Darshana (right perception)—has evolved into two major sects over the centuries: Both sects venerate the same 24 Tīrthaṅkaras, share core metaphysics, and value spiritual purity above all. However, their differences in practice, scripture, iconography, and views on liberation are significant, historical,…

📖The Heart of Jain Metaphysics by Ācārya Kundakunda | Sanatana Decode 🕉️ Introduction: What is Samayasāra? In the vast ocean of Jain philosophical texts, one name shines like a lighthouse—Samayasāra (meaning Essence of the Self), authored by the legendary Digambara philosopher Ācārya Kundakunda. Written over 2,000 years ago, Samayasāra is not just a religious scripture but a masterpiece of metaphysics, laying out the purest understanding of the soul (Jīva), karma, liberation (moksha), and true spiritual…

🌀Mapping the Universe Without a Creator God | Sanatana Decode 🪐 Introduction: A Creatorless, Eternal Cosmos In a world where many religious traditions speak of a creator deity who made the universe, Jainism presents a radically different vision. It describes the universe (Loka) as eternal, uncreated, and self-regulating—with no beginning and no end, and governed solely by the karmic laws of individual souls. In Jain cosmology: This cosmology, though ancient, is surprisingly modern in its…

🕉️ Torchbearers of Eternal Truth | Sanatana Decode 🌄 Who Are the Tīrthaṅkaras? In Jain Dharma, the Tīrthaṅkaras (Ford-Makers) are the supreme spiritual teachers who have attained perfect knowledge (Kevala Jñāna) and created a tīrtha—a spiritual crossing—for others to follow. They are not incarnations of God but liberated souls (Siddhas) who reestablish Dharma in times of spiritual decline. Jainism is unique in teaching that time is eternal and cyclical, divided into ascending (Utsarpiṇī) and descending…

🪷 Jainism – An Eternal Shramana Path Rooted in Ahimsa | Sanatana Decode 🔥 In the Midst of Dissent, Jainism Emerged as a Flame of Steadfast Non-Violence The 6th century BCE in India was no ordinary chapter in history—it was a spiritual revolution. Across the Indo-Gangetic plains, the orthodox Vedic order was facing scrutiny, and around 62 new sects or cults emerged, each proposing alternative paths to spiritual liberation (moksha). This was the age of…