This was a new one for me.
Like Sikhism, the Jains began as a reaction against the caste system and rituals of Hinduism, but originated much much earlier - in the 6th century BC. Its founder was a contemporary of Buddha, but took that faith's sancity of life to an even further degree. Believing that true freedom can only be attained with complete purification of one's soul, the Jains reject everything that might stick to the soul and clog it up, metaphorically speaking.
This means nonviolence to any living thing, in both thought and deed. The manifestation of this is an abhorrence of material possessions (the really orthodox Jains do not wear any clothing, as we were born into the world naked and should so remain until death). It also means eating no flesh or alcohol - and not even vegetables with roots in the ground, so no carrots, parsnips or potatoes. Jains walk with small brooms so that ants and other insects are brushed away rather than be stepped on by accident, and a piece of cloth tied over their mouths to prevent the accidental inhalation of a fly.
One cannot enter a Jain temple in shoes, with cigarettes or any kind of leather item, and women who are menstruating are kindly asked to refrain from entering (!!!!).
There are very few Jains now in India - less than half a percent of the population practice Jainism, but we did see menus that promoted Jain-friendly food, and we were lucky enough to visit Ranakpur, the site of a magnificent Jain temple in the middle of the mountains between Jodhpur and Udaipur. it was built in the 15 century of marble, and has a labyrinth of halls divided by stairs and columns, 1444 or them, all individually and uniquely carved. the place is lovely and calm, where you could sit and contemplate for hours. A group of art students were there sketching and I couldn't think of a more inspiring place to practice art.
Like Sikhism, the Jains began as a reaction against the caste system and rituals of Hinduism, but originated much much earlier - in the 6th century BC. Its founder was a contemporary of Buddha, but took that faith's sancity of life to an even further degree. Believing that true freedom can only be attained with complete purification of one's soul, the Jains reject everything that might stick to the soul and clog it up, metaphorically speaking.
This means nonviolence to any living thing, in both thought and deed. The manifestation of this is an abhorrence of material possessions (the really orthodox Jains do not wear any clothing, as we were born into the world naked and should so remain until death). It also means eating no flesh or alcohol - and not even vegetables with roots in the ground, so no carrots, parsnips or potatoes. Jains walk with small brooms so that ants and other insects are brushed away rather than be stepped on by accident, and a piece of cloth tied over their mouths to prevent the accidental inhalation of a fly.
One cannot enter a Jain temple in shoes, with cigarettes or any kind of leather item, and women who are menstruating are kindly asked to refrain from entering (!!!!).
There are very few Jains now in India - less than half a percent of the population practice Jainism, but we did see menus that promoted Jain-friendly food, and we were lucky enough to visit Ranakpur, the site of a magnificent Jain temple in the middle of the mountains between Jodhpur and Udaipur. it was built in the 15 century of marble, and has a labyrinth of halls divided by stairs and columns, 1444 or them, all individually and uniquely carved. the place is lovely and calm, where you could sit and contemplate for hours. A group of art students were there sketching and I couldn't think of a more inspiring place to practice art.
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| 2 devils to keep evil from entering |
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| the most amazing, intricate marble carving, and every column is different |
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| a ceiling piece |
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| halls and columns |
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| exterior |
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| water spout for the rain |
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| one of the interior domes |
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| ceiling piece |
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| delicate but robust |
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| the temple from the outside |
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| the surrounding mountains, the Aravalli Hills |
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