Traditions, Holy Days, and Rites of Passage
Jains celebrate numerous festivals and celebrations. One of the most important is Paryushana, or "coming together." During this time the laity often vow to spend a considerable amount of time fasting or studying for somewhere between eight and ten days.
Mahavira Jayanti celebrates the birth of the founder of Jainism, Mahavira and usually fall in late March or early April.
Diwali, celebrates the day on which Mahavira obtained nirvana.
On a daily basis the Namokara mantra is the prayer most commonly spoken. The prayer contains no mention of names, of favors, or of material benefits and serves solely as a gesture of deep respect towards more spiritually advanced people.
Additionally Jains are constantly required to follow six rules known as Avashyakas. These include: renunciation, respect for teachers and monks, serenity, praising the tirthankara, introspection, and stillness.
While expanding within India, Jainism and Hinduism came to share several qualities. One of these is their common rites of passage. These rites of passage include birth, naming, sacred thread, marriage, and death.
Mahavira Jayanti celebrates the birth of the founder of Jainism, Mahavira and usually fall in late March or early April.
Diwali, celebrates the day on which Mahavira obtained nirvana.
On a daily basis the Namokara mantra is the prayer most commonly spoken. The prayer contains no mention of names, of favors, or of material benefits and serves solely as a gesture of deep respect towards more spiritually advanced people.
Additionally Jains are constantly required to follow six rules known as Avashyakas. These include: renunciation, respect for teachers and monks, serenity, praising the tirthankara, introspection, and stillness.
While expanding within India, Jainism and Hinduism came to share several qualities. One of these is their common rites of passage. These rites of passage include birth, naming, sacred thread, marriage, and death.