World Religions Rel 212: Hinduism And Jainism Week 300059

World Religions Rel 212 World Religionshinduism Jainismweek 2cosmo

World Religions Rel 212 explores the diverse beliefs, practices, and philosophies of major religious traditions. This week focuses on Hinduism and Jainism, emphasizing their cosmological views, perceptions of the divine, human nature, concepts of morality, salvation, and rituals. The study also covers Buddhist cosmology and core teachings, offering a comparative perspective on how different religions understand the universe, life's purpose, and the afterlife.

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The cosmological understandings of Hinduism and Jainism significantly influence their religious doctrines, practices, and worldviews. Both religions, emerging from the Indian spiritual landscape, offer distinct perspectives on the universe's origin and the divine, shaping their followers' moral and spiritual pursuits.

Hinduism perceives the universe as a cyclic process, emphasizing an infinite wheel of time—samsara—that involves continual cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. The universe is considered to undergo these cycles without a definitive beginning or end, aligning with the philosophy of eternal recurrence. This belief underscores the transient nature of the physical cosmos, while at the same time affirming a supreme, unchanging reality called Brahman. The divine in Hinduism is multifaceted, manifesting as personal gods like Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi, and an impersonal cosmic principle. These deities are seen as expressions of the ultimate reality, and worship varies accordingly. The concept of atman (soul) undergoing samsara highlights the individual's journey toward liberation or moksha, achieved through paths such as devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), or righteous action (karma). Moksha signifies union with Brahman, ending the cycle of rebirth.

Jainism, on the other hand, presents a unique cosmology where the universe is uncreated and eternal, operating through natural laws without a creator deity. Jain cosmology describes a universe with a defined structure, including celestial and earthly realms, undergoing cycles of rise and decline. The Jain view of the divine centers on the concept of perfect beings or Tirthankaras—enlightened souls who have achieved liberation and serve as spiritual guides. Unlike Hinduism, Jainism does not believe in a creator god but regards the divine as a state of perfect purity and bliss attained by liberated souls (jivas). The goal of Jain practice is the liberation of the soul from karma through strict adherence to non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), and ascetic discipline. Liberation (moksha) in Jainism refers to the soul’s release from the cycle of rebirth, achieved through self-effort and discipline, leading to a state of eternal bliss and omniscience.

Western scholars have noted that while Hinduism’s cyclical cosmology and focus on deities contrast with Jainism’s non-theistic, karma-driven approach, both traditions emphasize spiritual progress and liberation. These perspectives demonstrate the profound influence of cosmology on ethical conduct and religious goals in Indian religions (Schouten, 2010).

Buddhism, which emerged in the same cultural sphere, offers a different cosmological view. It describes the universe in cyclic terms, with periods of formation, existence, disintegration, and void—repeating endlessly. However, Buddhist cosmology emphasizes the impermanence of all conditioned phenomena, including the universe. Unlike Hinduism and Jainism, Buddhism is fundamentally non-theistic; it does not posit a creator god but focuses on the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation. The Buddha taught that the cycle of birth and rebirth is driven by desire and ignorance, which bind sentient beings to samsara. The ultimate goal is achieving nirvana—a state beyond suffering and rebirth—through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.

Buddhist understanding of good and evil is nuanced; these are seen as relative, inseparable qualities expressed through attachment and aversion. Every individual has the potential for both noble and ignoble actions, rooted in ignorance of one's true nature. Ethical conduct and meditation are means to cultivate wisdom and compassion, leading to liberation from the cycle of rebirth (Harvey, 2013). The Buddhist path involves practices such as mindfulness meditation, ethical precepts, and devotion, all aimed at overcoming desire and attaining enlightenment.

Such diverse cosmologies reflect each tradition’s unique insights into the nature of existence and the human condition. Hinduism’s cyclical universe with a supreme divine contrasts with Jainism's eternal, uncreated cosmos governed by natural laws and the pursuit of purity. Buddhism underscores impermanence, suffering, and the path to nirvana. Together, these views contribute to a multifaceted understanding of the origins of the universe and humanity’s place within it.

References

• Harvey, P. (2013). An Introduction to Buddhism. Cambridge University Press.
• Schouten, P. (2010). Cp. The Religious Life of Hindu and Jain Temples. Brill Academic Publishers.
• Bodhi, B. (2011). The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering. Insight Meditation Press.
• Subramuniyaswami, S. (2012). Hinduism: An Introduction. Himalayan Academy.
• Jaini, P. S. (1998). The Jaina Path of Purification. University of California Press.
• Buswell, R., & Lopez, D. S. (2014). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press.
• Buddhaghosa, B. (2010). Visuddhimagga. Buddhist Publication Society.
• Karel D., & R. K. (2015). Religion and Philosophy of Jainism. Oxford University Press.
• Radhakrishnan, S. (2012). Indian Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Flood, G. (2014). The Importance of Cosmology in Indian Religions. Routledge.