Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00130)

Sep 9TH

Unless I am much mistaken, the Jains  ( Jinas) count at least a
sequence of 33 Tirthankaras -- and that was the generic Title given to
their great Sadhus and teachers.  Also I believe I have seen it
written that Gautama Buddha learned from the Tirthankara known as
Rishi Gautama.

AS I read the statements of the Jains on their concept of Karma --
their idea of it being material is solely based on the concept that in
all manifestation everything is limited in some way or another, and
compared with the ATMAN or JIV it is temporary and illusionary.

The illusion is caused by the attachment of the "Karmas" -- that which
we call the skandhas.

This is very broad.

Dallas
dalval@nwc.net 


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-theos-talk@theosophy.com
[mailto:owner-theos-talk@theosophy.com]On Behalf Of Richtay@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 1999 10:05 AM
To: theos-talk@theosophy.com
Subject: Theos-World Buddhism and Jainism



In a message dated 9/9/99 12:13:38 AM, lgregory@discover.net writes:

<< Jainism really champions the ahimsa concept much more thoroughly
than does
Buddhism... both religions I think bare strong similarities... I
myself
having been a theosophist in the late sixties took the refuge in the
Buddha
the Dharma and the Sangha... and remain very sympathetic, however am
finding Jainism to be even more to the point... >>

Jainism and Buddhism are both thought to have originated (in the
current
cycle) at the exact same time, 6th century BCE.  They appear to be
very
similar "revolts" from the stultified Brahmanism of that time --
according to
scholars.  (Although both traditions speak of VERY ancient founders
who can
NOT be traced to the current historical cycle).

The greatest difference between them (to me) is not so much ahimsa
(which
both believe in, but as Art says, Jainism champions) but karma theory.
The
Jains have a materialistic concept of karma in that it is a material
"stuff"
which clings to one's inner nature.  Literally, there are "atoms" of
karmas
according to Jains.  Buddhism sees karma more as the tendency of the
mental
stream, and not an extra "substance" outside of the mind, adhering to
it.

Also, Jainism places its enlightened saints at the "top" of its
picture of
the universe (which I realize is symbolic) while Buddhism places its
Buddhas
NO WHERE in the manifested world.

While both Buddhism and Jainism emphasize meditation and share many
other
approaches and doctrines, I see Buddhism as more psychological and
Jainism as
more philosophically materialistic.

Rich

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