Jains+-+CA+-+SP12

__Aspects of Jain Culture __ __Aryn Leppo and Alexia Mort __

Language - The "official" language that Jains speak is Hindi. However each state in India is able to pick their own language because there is no national language. When the Indian Constitution first came into effect English was supposed to be used for official purposes. However within about 15 years, they started to allow other local languages like Hindi. Now, all states have their own official language. Some of these are Bengali, Bodo, and Dogri.

Beliefs - Jains believe that every living being has a soul. They believe every soul is born as a heavenly being, human, sub-human or hellish being based on its own karma. Karma is something they strongly believe in. According to Jains, every action you make, good or bad, determines your future. Therefore, you should treat everyone as yourself and avoid anger or harm. The triple gems of Jainism are right vision or view, right knowledge and right conduct. These provide the path for attaining liberation from the cycles of birth and death.

Values - Jains are obviously very concerned with their quality of life. This is clear when talking about there beliefs. So, life is probably something that they value a lot. The Jains have a list of vows, called 'The Great Vows.' This list of vows is something that they value a lot, because it's basically what they live off of. For example, on this list is "Not Speak Untruth," "Renounce all Attachments," "Non injury to Life," "Renounce Sexual Pleasures," and "Not to Steal." These vows help them to be the best people they can be and have no "bad" in there lives. This shows that they really value their quality of life.

Behaviors - Jains are vegetarians. They also participate in different types of fasting. They do this because it helps to melt away the bad karmas accumulated by an individual. Also, to get rid of all of the bad Karama they have, they practice doing confession and repentance. They also helps them have more peace in their life, have a protective living, and to be able to have honesty is their life. Having to practice strict asceticism helps them have a more peaceful lifestyle. An article on Kwintessential.com says that some Jains even where a mask over their face so they don't harm microbes by inhaling them. Another thing that Jains do it re-birthing. They believe that to achieve there full emancipation they must be born multiple times.

This photo shows a Jain wearing a mask over his face to make sure he doesn't hurt the microbes.

__Cultural Change __

Technology -  There is little information about Jains using any kind of technology. However, we can assume that since they live such simple lives, they probably are not looking into much technology.

Commercialization -

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Travel -

__<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Citations __

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Primary Sources - "Member of the 'White-Clad' Sect of Jainism." //Bioethics for Students//: //How Do We Know What¿s Right?//. Ed. Steven G. Post. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2010. //Gale Power Search//. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. //This source is important because it actually shows a Jain doing something we mentioned. Since it's a picture, it is a primary source.//

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Print Source - Gupta, Asha. "Jainism." //Encyclopedia of India//. Ed. Stanley Wolpert. Vol. 2. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. 323-326. //Gale Power Search//. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. //This source is important because it described many of the Jains behaviors. It is a book so it's a print source.//

__Shouler, Kenneth, and Ph.D.. "The Five Vows of Jainism - World Religions."__ __Netplaces__  __. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. <__ __http://www.netplaces.com/world-religions/jainism/the-five-vows-of-jainism.htm__  __>.__  __This website was__ important because it __described many of__ __gave me some of the values that__ the Jains __behaviors.__ __have.__ It __is a book so it's a print source.__ __also gave a little informantion about the history and how the vows started.__ <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Other Sources -

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"Official Languages of India." //Free Encyclopedia & Web Portal on Indian Culture & Lifestyle//. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.indianetzone.com/8/official_languages_india.htm>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//This website was important because it explained some langauges that Jains may speak. It also tells about the history of their languages. Since it is a website, it is a secondary source.//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"An Introduction to Jainism: History, Religion, Gods, Scriptures and Beliefs." //Professional Translation Services | Interpreters | Intercultural Communication & Training//. Kwintessential Ltd, 2008. Web. 24 Jan. 2012. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> <http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/religion/jainism.html>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">//This website is important because it described some of the Jains behaviors.//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Jainism." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia, 24 Jan. 2012. Web. 24 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//This website was important because it had a lot of information about Jains beliefs and values. It is a secondary source because it's a website.//

__Iruvanti, Sushumna.__ "Jainism."  __Encyclopedia of India__ __Dutchess County Hindu Samaj__ . __Ed. Stanley Wolpert. Vol. 2. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. 323-326.__ __Gale Power Search__  __.__  __Hindu Samaj, n.d.__ Web. 25 Jan. 2012.  __<__ __http://www.hindusamajtemple.org/hinduism/jainism.htm__  __>__ //__This __// __source is__ __website so it's a primary source. It was useful because it gave information about their behaviors and some information about their beliefs.__ (I couldn't figure out how to make them not red and green, sorry! Sorry the spacing is messed up too, I couldn't fix it.)