1. What is expected of a person in following a religion?

2. How is commitment identified?

3. What makes commitment recognisable?

4. What moral code is expected of the individual?

5. How does faith and commitment relate?

6. In what ways does the individual express their own personal religious views?

A person following Jainism is expected to observe basic vowsPromises made usually in the context of religion - called anuvratsA term in Jainism referring to sacred vows - as part of ethical living. These vows include non-violence, non-possessiveness, simplicity and non-materialism, self-restraint, honesty and sincerity. They are also expected to follow key religious rituals, but there is no pressure from community to do so. A significant amount of freedom is given to the individual to practice their faith. As a result, there is also considerable variety of expression. Throughout history, women have been more spiritualA word with many religious connotations, often used to describe a multiplicity of phenomena that would include inner, reflective or emotional experiences, and those aspects of life that give it meaning and depth or which are profoundly moving or aesthetic. than men and have shown a greater degree and depth of devotion. Even the numbers of nuns have always outnumbered the numbers of monks by at least three times.

Commitment is recognized through the observance of rituals and participation in festivals and special ceremonies. Generally no special status is given to those who are more committed than others - credit for ethical conduct is accumulated by the individual directly and there should be no seeking for outer glory or recognition. Each individual is expected to look at the mirror - not to admire their own beauty but to introspect on their actions and how synonymous they are with their values. Self-improvement is constantly encouraged and this is why Jains everywhere are natural leaders.

Websites

http://faithandthearts.com/?s=Jain

http://www.anekant.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/ - BBC Religions Site and links to broadcasts about Jainism

http://www.bl.uk - British Library website. Library has a good collection of Jain Manuscripts.

http://www.faithandthearts.com - Essay on Jain Art

http://www.jaina.org

http://www.jainheritagecentres.com

http://www.jainology.org

http://www.jainworld.com www.jainsamaj.org

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/asia/asia_features/jainism/index.html - Victoria & Albert Museum Site which has good collection of Jain Art

http://www.youngjains.org.uk - Young Jains' website

Bibliography

Banks, M., 1992. Organising Jainism in India and England. Oxford, OUP.

Cort, J.E., 2001. Jains in the World - Ideology and Religious Values in India. n.l.: n.s.

Dundas, P., 2002. The Jains. London: Routledge.

Granoff, P., 1998. The Forest of Thieves - An anthology of medieval Jain stories. n.l.: n.s.

Jain, M., 2005. Jain Food - Compassionate and Healthy Eating. USA: n.s.

Jaini, P., 1998. The Jaina Path of Purification. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

Pal, P., 1994. Peaceful Liberators - Jain Art from India. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Rankin, A., 2006. The Jain Path - Ancient Wisdom for the West. n.l.: O Books.

Sangave, V., 1980. Jaina Community. Bombay: n.s.

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