What Jains Teach

Preview of a 42-minute documentary on spiritual teachings by two Jain nuns in Indianapolis June 2009.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Jainism
• religion
• Indian religion
• Jain
• Jain nuns
• meditation

[duendeartsvideo]

To avoid accidentally inhaling and killing insects and small animals.

[duendeartsvideo]

The Jains I know, both lay and monastic, are strict vegetarians.

[duendeartsvideo]

I just shot the video. I'm not Jain but I do keep awareness of unnecessary harm to sentient beings. The older Jains I know are more circumspect about avoiding insects when walking outdoors. The younger ones mostly practice vegetarianism. Ahimsa is a goal, an ongoing commitment that makes us mindful of causing unnecessary pain to others.

[easternshorefilam]

Why is it that it seems only Indians are Jains? Why hasn't the faith spread to people of all nations and races? What are you going to do about that?

[duendeartsvideo]

@easternshorefilam I'm just the filmmaker so my answers are limited. I don't know why there are few if any non-Indian Jains. They are certainly very dedicated to their practice, even the younger generations, but it is largely lifestyle practice rather than doctrines that matter to the Jains I've met. Vegetarianism and non-harming of animals are keys to the practice and these are incredibly difficult for non-Indians not raised with these values. Jains also tend not to proselytize.

[duendeartsvideo]

To avoid inhaling insects and other small animals and killing or injuring them.

[Melpheos1er]

@Drgamedood yes they can. Their vows authorize use of violence for self defense but they have to cause the minimum harm possible

[tasnim399]

why they keep cover the mouth? I am not a Jain.

[MuscleInformation]

@Drgamedood Jainism states that you should not use violence even if someone is trying to kill you. Your question is quite broad because you say if Jains will use violence in self defense well some jains will like me. I am Jain and it doesn't mean I follow every single rule. If you put a knife up to a Jain Mahraj (A person that follows religion very strict) he will not do anything. So your answere is yes and no, but it is not allowed.

[Drgamedood]

@pathanq will a jain use violence in self defense?

[pathanq]

@sitemountain

its not about vegetarianism but about non-violence, jain can have animal products like milk/dairy that do not come with pain to an innocent creature... ahimsa, thats the main idea.

[pathanq]

@bordercollie1975 .... hi,

Jains have a strong sence of compassion for all beings, since we are all connected, Jains do not hurt biting insects, The idea is that when you are bitten, in the spirit of respect and compasionate non-violence, see your blood as a gift to that being. We are all interconnected, hurting another is indirectly hurting yourself. Sometimeds you cannot avoid hurting others but try.... then every living being will remind you of non-violence and of respect.

[UnoRaza]

@duendeartsvideo "Sanity of ALL life" is the bedrock of true spirituality/religion.

[Hypastpist]

if there are any jains here, how do you handle pests, like cockroaches