Religion 102 (01)                                                                                     
Introduction to World Religions                                                                              Fall, 1997
 

  Mahavira                                                 Jina                                                             ahimsa
  Tirthankaras                                           kevala                                                     aparigraha
  Jain cosmology                                   Jain karma                                               anekantwad
  Bhadrabahu                                         devapuja                                                 Digambaras
  Jiva                                                  Svetambaras
 

II. Focus Questions:

 1. Could one be a devout practicing Jain in a contemporary first world country such as the
  United States, Germany, Italy, etc.?  Why or why not?  To what degree could one practice
           Jainism in first world countries?

 2. Jainism has been described by some scholars of religion as a "pessimistic" religion.  Is  that description accurate?
 
 3. Jainism maintains that human life is always destructive and that the best we can do is to
       cause as little damage as possible.  How accurate is that conviction about the human
            condition?

 4. Page 104 of Chapter 4 states the principle of anekantwad.  In part, this principle means "the fullness of truth has facets.  There is no point in finding fault with others."  What
  practical strengths and weaknesses in relation to daily living are inherent in the principle
  of anekantwad?