Discussion Jainism 1. Why do you suppose the story of religion is a story of dialogue (with what comes before it) and building blocks (providing a foundation for what follows)? In short, it’s clear that religion does NOT exist in a vacuum, nor does it develop ex nihilo (“out of nothing”). Give a few examples and explain.

2. What does it mean in Jainism to act as little as possible? Why is it important to a Jain? How is it related to the 3 ethical pillars?

3. Describe the heroic feat of self-liberation through extreme asceticism as espoused by Jainism.

4. In what way did Jainism influence both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Religion is a story of dialogue and building blocks because it has been shaped by a continuous process of interaction with the cultural, social, and philosophical contexts that preceded it. Each religion represents a unique synthesis of earlier traditions, beliefs, and practices, which are often adapted and transformed to fit the particular needs and aspirations of its adherents. For example, Christianity built on the foundation of Judaism, incorporating many of its ethical and theological teachings while also introducing new ones. Similarly, Islam drew on the pre-existing religious and cultural practices of the Arabian Peninsula while introducing a new monotheistic theology and ethical system. This process of borrowing, adapting, and transforming elements from previous traditions is a fundamental characteristic of the development of religious traditions.

In Jainism, the concept of “acting as little as possible” is known as ahimsa, which is one of the three ethical pillars of the religion. It means avoiding harm to all living beings, including humans, animals, and even plants, as much as possible. This includes not only physical harm but also emotional, mental, and spiritual harm. Jains believe that all living beings have a soul and are interconnected, and therefore, harming others ultimately harms oneself. Acting as little as possible is important to Jains because it helps them avoid causing harm and accumulate good karma, which is necessary for spiritual progress and eventual liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

The heroic feat of self-liberation through extreme asceticism is known as sallekhana in Jainism. It is a voluntary act of fasting to the point of death, undertaken by advanced practitioners who have achieved a high level of spiritual development and wish to purify their souls and attain final liberation from the cycle of rebirth. This practice is not encouraged by the Jain community and is only undertaken under specific circumstances, such as when one’s body has become too weak to practice other forms of spiritual discipline.

Jainism has influenced both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. in their advocacy for non-violent resistance as a means of social and political change. Both Gandhi and King were deeply influenced by the Jain concept of ahimsa, which emphasizes non-violence and the avoidance of harm to all living beings. They saw non-violent resistance as a powerful tool for social transformation that could be used to challenge unjust systems of power and oppression. Gandhi, in particular, was heavily influenced by Jainism and saw it as a major source of inspiration for his philosophy of non-violent resistance, which he called Satyagraha.