Adieu, the final farewell, an exploration of death!
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Quick Links:
| Definition | Preparation |
| Trans-theistic | Open casket |
| Jiva | Cremation |
| Enlightenment | Service |
| Saṃsāra | Pyre |
| Karma | Reborn |
| Death |
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Jainism is followed by 4m people, some 0.05% of the world’s population.
Jainism is trans-theistic, neither theist nor atheist, believing that the world was not created and will exist forever. Jainism authority is vested in the twenty-four Jinas. The last of these, the Mahavira dates to the 5th-6th c BCE, and is regarded to be the main source of their doctrine. This was passed down orally by disciples, or gaṇadharas.
It is originally an Indian religion and believes the world to consist of two main groups – jiva, living, conscious and sentient beings or souls and ajiva or non-living material. There are six eternal substances: the jīva and five ajiva – pudgala, non-sentient matter; dharma, the principle of motion; adharma, the principle of rest; ākāśa, space; and kāla, time. This and other principles are outlined in its scripture, the Agamas, which also outlines a complex cosmology.
Jainism teaches that enlightenment may be achieved through nonviolence and by avoiding harming living things (including animals and plants), so far as possible. Jains believe in reincarnation, the cycle of birth, death, and that rebirth is determined by one’s karma.
It believes that the ultimate good for a living being (jīva) is the liberation from the cyclical world of reincarnation (saṃsāra). This liberation leads to omniscience, or knowledge of all things, which is gained by right vision, right knowledge and right conduct.
Jains believe that karma is responsible for the different forms a soul can take. It effectively binds with the soul and can travel with it between rebirths. Karma obscures and blocks the nature of the soul. The main causes for this binding of karma are accepting a wrong view, poor self-discipline, permitting the passions to control you and your physical activities. Jains believe that even involuntary actions can have a negative karma effect they can taint or defile it. But it outlines five ethical vows that can stop this happening.
At death Jainism believes that the soul is reborn immediately, therefore death is considered a joyous occasion.
The body is washed with a damp cloth, then clothed and put on a bier and covered with a kafan shroud. A picture of the body. with a sandalwood mala garland around the neck is taken, and placed beside the body.
The open casket is displayed to mourners, men to one side, women to the other. The body is sprinkled with camphor, ghee and sandalwood powder by the family. A swastika is displayed near the casket, its four arms represent the four types of soul that an individual can attain. The swastika has its roots in Sanskrit where it is a mark of well-being.
The body is then taken to the place of cremation, which should have no grass or insects that could be harmed. This is usually a platform piled with wood. The eldest son performs the last rites.
The service recites prayers and hymns, followed by a eulogy delivered by family and friends.
Then the service is completed by chanting the navkar or namōkāra mantra – one of the most significant and among the oldest mantras in regular practice. This mantra discusses the divine qualities and attainments of the Panch Parmesthi (the five supreme spiritual people) – the arihantas (saints); siddhas (liberated souls); ächäryäs and upädhyäyas (sages and teachers); the sädhus (monks); sädhvis (nuns). The Navkar mantra is believed to transcend religion, caste and creed.
The pyre is then lit. The remains are then collected up and buried in the ground. The site is then sprinkled with salt. They do not put these in the river because that will pollute it.
The deceased is immediately reborn.
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