------------------------------------------------- University of Phoenix Material
Jainism vs. Sikhism
Part I
Read the assigned chapters for the week and complete the following table. Be as specific as possible when identifying practices, beliefs, rituals, and historical elements. Cite sources in APA formatting.
Core Beliefs | Jainism | Sikhism | | 1. This is the oldest living shramana tradition in India. Founded in the 5th century by Mahavira. This Religion is supported by south Indian royalty. | 1. Historical element is that this Religion began in 1469 in India. The creator is Guru Granth Sahib, he started teaching these practices which are different from other religions. | | 2. They believe in reincarnation | 2. They believe in karma | | 3. Ritual is meditation (samayika) which focuses on achieving a peaceful state of mind. | 3. Ritual ceremonies and rites for almost every area of their life. for instance when a baby is born it is taken to a Gurdware for a naming ceremony. | | 4. Practice nonviolence more than Sikhism | 4. Practice nonviolence | | 5. They believe that their salvation is gained in their own personal struggles and victories and do not believe in a personal god. | 5. they believe in one god (Allah) and they believe there are eight different stages of hell |
Part 2
Respond to the following questions in 150 to 200 words:
1. What do you think is the most important similarity and which is the most important difference? Use specifics to support your answer.
I think the most important similarities are Reincarnation and Salvation. Reincarnation is also known as transmigration of ones soul. These two religions believe their souls can be or live numerous times. They believe this is done by being reborn in different ways, such as people, ghost or animals. Their souls will move around and change until it has made it to where it will spend eternity. These two religions are from the south of Asia, and they do have some major differences. For instance what they eat, how the religions are, and how they are saved. An important difference in these two religions is gaining personal salvation. The Janis religion beleves that salvation is something they do themselves. For instance their pains and their gains in their lives is how they get salvation. Whereas the Sikhism religion believes their salvation comes from revering their one god Allah and becoming as one with him.
2. Consider the following statement: Sallekhana (“holy death”) violates the Jain principle of ahimsa because it is an act of violence against oneself. Using examples from Ch. 5 of your text, what points might a follower of Jainism make to argue against this statement? The Jain people are very convicted to their beliefs and rituals. Because they are devout vegetarians they try not to hurt or kill any animals whether large or small. They will not work on jobs where these insects or animals are harmed. In addition, hunting, fishing, killing or selling animals or their flesh. The Jains people will go as far as carefully moving small insects out of the way of hurt or harm. These people also believe in a person taking their own lives. However theirs is an actual practice they follow. This is the Sallekhana or holy death. The Jains will follow this ritual during their lifetime in their practice of fasting. The older one gets their practice is to eat less and less which will end their lives sooner than later. This is also called selfstarvation or the final fast and it consists of not eating food but only drinking liquids. In this practice the elder person will die within a month. This practice is a wonderful and final show of their leaving and freedom.
