Rel133 R4 Jainism Sikhism 1


Monica Perez
Religion 133
Professor James Finch
Week 2- Jainism vs. Sikhism

University of Phoenix Material

Jainism vs. Sikhism

Part I

Read the assigned chapters for the week and complete the following table. Be as specific as possible when identifying practices, beliefs, rituals, and historical elements. Cite sources in APA formatting.

Core Beliefs
Jainism
Sikhism

1. Karma
1. Karma

2. Truth
2.Believes there is a creator

3.Celibacy
3. Earning an honest living

4. Rebirth
4.Rebirth

5. Sees the Universe as natural focus in motion
5. To do good onto others.

Part 2

Respond to the following questions in 150 to 200 words:

1. What do you think is the most important similarity and which is the most important difference? Use specifics to support your answer.

Although both religions are different, they also have some similiarities. I would have to say that the most important similarity the two have is that they both believe in reincarnation, life after death. Some of the differences the two religions have are they have a significantly different age group, diet, means of survival and they also have completely different concepts in who their God is. Jainism is the oldest known religion in India, whereas, sikhim is the youngest group. Although they both believe in reincarnation, Jains do not believe in a god or in several different gods, they believe the earth is a never ending cycle and it all depends on the measures they take for survival. Whereas the Sikhism group believes in a god also known as Allah, they believe forming a relationship with Allah, their god, will save them.

2. Consider the following statement: Sallekhana (“holy death”) violates the Jain principle of ahimsa because it is an act of violence against oneself. Using examples from Ch. 5 of your text, what points might a follower of Jainism make to argue against this statement?

Based on our textbook readings, Jains see all life as a preparation for the liberation of the spirit (jiva) from the body, and when a person is sufficiently evolved spiritually, that person can make the final choice to no longer create more karma. Jains do not believe in suicide. They believe one can end their life, after a long life of virtue and detachment. They also go on to say that it must be done with consideration of others. Holy death to jains is means of starvation. Only elderly people who have lived long and been through the struggle and want to die may go into starvation. This only last about one month before the person passeson. Jains are not harmful people, they are vegetarians and when they find caged animals they set them free. They do not eat anything that has to do with animals. One would argue that the holy death is not an act of violence. An act of violence would be something done to a personal without their consent, withthout their wanting to do it. The people who starve themselves to pass on,it’s by choice.

References:
http://toseventhheaven.blogspot.com/2010/04/17-significant-differences-between.html

University of phoenix textbook-chapter 5- https://newclassroom3.phoenix.edu/Classroom/#/contextid/OSIRIS:49044130/context/co/view/activityDetails/activity/45e0bc83-da30-4c97-aa18-64fd9df9556d/expanded/False