Ranakpur Jain Temple
Saturday 1/5
We have visited a few Jain Temples, one which was steps away from our place in Jaisalmer and todays was in Ranakpur. I particularly like the symmetric design of their temples and the intricacy of the carving in all the walls and columns.
At each one we learned a little bit more about Jainism then we had known before. They differ from the Hindu religion in a few important ways including the Jain's being essentially atheistic, and thoroughly vegan. There focus is solely on this life and for this life as they do not believe there is a life after. They practice non-violence against all sentient things including bugs, etc. They seem to lead a peaceful existance and I think we can learn from their non-violent practices while not taking them as far.
Atheism is one Jainisms distinctions to Christianity. Another is the common thread that separates all other religions from that of the Bible, the requirement for self righteousness. It is up to the individual to make him or herself good enough for God, or for this life, or for whatever the ultimate end of the journey is. Jesus invites us to give up our efforts to make ourselves right with God and to instead let Him carry that burden for us. I will be eternally thankful for this as I am incapable of keeping up my end of the bargain.
Images in 2019 Ranakpur
Images: You might have to access the images in a different way depending on the size of your screen. For full size monitors the links should appear on the left, for phones and tablets you will need to select the menu drop-down icon on the upper left corner.
We have visited a few Jain Temples, one which was steps away from our place in Jaisalmer and todays was in Ranakpur. I particularly like the symmetric design of their temples and the intricacy of the carving in all the walls and columns.
At each one we learned a little bit more about Jainism then we had known before. They differ from the Hindu religion in a few important ways including the Jain's being essentially atheistic, and thoroughly vegan. There focus is solely on this life and for this life as they do not believe there is a life after. They practice non-violence against all sentient things including bugs, etc. They seem to lead a peaceful existance and I think we can learn from their non-violent practices while not taking them as far.
Atheism is one Jainisms distinctions to Christianity. Another is the common thread that separates all other religions from that of the Bible, the requirement for self righteousness. It is up to the individual to make him or herself good enough for God, or for this life, or for whatever the ultimate end of the journey is. Jesus invites us to give up our efforts to make ourselves right with God and to instead let Him carry that burden for us. I will be eternally thankful for this as I am incapable of keeping up my end of the bargain.
Images in 2019 Ranakpur
Images: You might have to access the images in a different way depending on the size of your screen. For full size monitors the links should appear on the left, for phones and tablets you will need to select the menu drop-down icon on the upper left corner.
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