What is the English meaning of Nigoda?

Minute, single-celled, living beings which, according to Jains, pervade the universe.

What is Jiva according to Jainism?

jiva, (Sanskrit: “living substance”) in Indian philosophy and religion, and particularly in Jainism and Hinduism, a living sentient substance akin to an individual soul.

How many types of Jiva are described in Jainism?

As the soul cycles, states Padmanabh Jaini, Jainism traditions believe that it goes through five types of bodies: earth bodies, water bodies, fire bodies, air bodies and vegetable lives.

Where do Jains go after death?

For Jains body and soul are different things: the body is just an inanimate container – the conscious being is the jiva. After each bodily death, the jiva is reborn into a different body to live another life, until it achieves liberation.

Does Jainism believe in God?

Jains do not believe in a God or gods in the way that many other religions do, but they do believe in divine (or at least perfect) beings who are worthy of devotion.

What do Jains do with their dead?

In order to keep the Earth clean and pure, Jains cremate those who pass away. The cremation is done as soon as possible and cannot be done between sunset and sunrise of the day following the death.

Who do Jains pray to?

Jains ritually worship numerous deities, especially the Jinas. In Jainism a Jina as deva is not an avatar (incarnation), but the highest state of omniscience that an ascetic tirthankara achieved. Out of the 24 Tirthankaras, Jains predominantly worship four: Mahāvīra, Parshvanatha, Neminatha and Rishabhanatha.

What language do Jains speak?

From the 12th century, various regional languages emerged in North India: variants of Gujarati and Hindi, the two languages predominantly used by the Jains, were also resorted to by new commentators. Today modern forms of these languages are used by Jain religious teachers both in their writings and preaching.

How are Jains buried?

Mourning and Burial Customs: Jainism “In order to keep the Earth clean and pure, Jains cremate those who pass away. The cremation is done as soon as possible and cannot be done between sunset and sunrise of the day following the death.