Spiritual Disciplines and Practices in Jainism

Summary

This article explores the concept of spirituality and its role within Jainism. It begins by defining spirituality as the science of the self or ultimate reality and argues that true spirituality consists of right knowledge and right conduct. The author explains that the Sanskrit term adhyātma refers to inward contemplation and claims that genuine spiritual knowledge requires inwardness, intuition and mysticism. Although spirituality is beyond the material world, there is nevertheless a dynamic relationship between human beings and the pure, spiritual and natural worlds. Because of this relationship, ethics and morality are intimately connected to spiritual values; ethical behaviour and social conduct are portrayed as modes of expressing spiritual ideals. The article then discusses the relationship between spirituality, religion and philosophy. Religion, derived from the Latin verb religare (“to bind”), imposes duties and observances on its adherents to promote spiritual upliftment. Philosophy is described as an intellectual pursuit that provides a rational framework for religious practice. In Jainism these three strands come together. Jain teachings present a set of disciplines and practices for social and moral upliftment while philosophy justifies them by articulating a consistent worldview. The author situates Jainism within the ancient Sramana tradition of India, arguing that it is a pre‑Vedic religion rather than an offshoot of either Buddhism or the Vedic tradition. Jainism originated with the first Tirthankara, Rsabhadeva, and was propagated by spiritual victors. The twenty‑four Tirthankaras are not considered divine but are human beings who attained liberation through right conduct. They rejected Brahmanical rituals, caste hierarchies and the idea of a creator god. Their pluralistic philosophy emphasises non‑violence, self‑discipline and spiritual independence. The core of the article describes the Jaina categorisation of reality into soul (jiva) and non‑soul (ajiva). Souls are infinite, eternal and endowed with consciousness and cognition. Non‑soul substances include matter, motion, rest, space and time. Interaction between soul and matter generates karma, which binds the soul to the cycle of rebirth. Spiritual disciplines thus aim to purify the soul by cultivating right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. Through these “three jewels” individuals can overcome ignorance, shed karma and ultimately achieve liberation. The article concludes by stressing that universal compassion and non‑violence are necessary to establish happiness and brotherhood; every being has a right to live, and spiritual practice should encourage respect for all life and support the highest ideal of ahimsa.