Jainism and Hindu deities (plus other questions)?

I have a few questions regarding Jainism. The only things I know about it is that it is atheistic and practices extreme non-violence.

1.) I've head that some Jains regard some Hindu deities as protectors of sorts. Is this true?

2.) Exactly how strict is this religion for laypeople? I know how it is for the monks and nuns, but how is it for the regular practitioners?

3.) What foods are not allowed? How many times is it required for people to fast?

4.) How do Jains regard homosexuals?

5.) How does Jainism regard science?

AgnosticSeeker said:

I've head that some Jains regard some Hindu deities as protectors of sorts. Is this true?

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Jain temples have some hindu deties but their place is lower than 24 Tirthankaras.

What foods are not allowed?

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Jains are Strictly vegetarian.

In the west, because of financial constraints, some Hindu-Jain temples have been built. So they are close.

There's a Hindu Jain temple in Pittsburgh.Hindu Jain Temple of Pittsburgh

Sumit said:

Jain temples have some hindu deties but their place is lower than 24 Tirthankaras.


Jains are Strictly vegetarian.

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I've heard that they were strictly vegan, and that some don't even eat roots because that would kill the plant.

lemaster13 said:

I've heard that they were strictly vegan, and that some don't even eat roots because that would kill the plant.

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I think they call it Satvika. They eat what naturally falls from a plant. It's a very strict form of veganism. I wish I had the willpower to eat this way!

lemaster13 said:

I've heard that they were strictly vegan, and that some don't even eat roots because that would kill the plant.

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To the root thing: yeah, I think this occurs, but I don't think it's as common as we'd imagine.

I've not met many Jainas, but they were all vegetarian.

Shivoham said:

I think they call it Satvika. They eat what naturally falls from a plant. It's a very strict form of veganism. I wish I had the willpower to eat this way!

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Fruitarianism? Seems unhealthy to me.

Raw veganism seems cool though, although I'm not even totally vegetarian {yet}, much to my annoyance, and I hate to reject food offered to me due to my upbringing (and Buddha Beef, interestingly, has never been offered because friends and family know I'm "a bit weird and fanatical in some religion or other D)"; I imagine I'd reject it though.). Damn you, England! As the French call us, le rosbif is indeed accurate. :cover:

When I have went to a Jain Temple I have had to make sure to leave any leather at the door.

Not that one wears footwear past the door.

(My biggest hypocrisy as a vegetarian is that I have leather Doc Martens. Thanks for hearing my confession, everyone)

Lots of peoples think India is east but the real thing is India is west and china is east.