1/31/06: Me Hindu, You Jain

After our first good night’s sleep and a relaxing morning, we visited the Jain temples on the Eastern flank of Khajuraho. Around the same time that Buddha was challenging the Brahmins, Mahavira spread the word of Jainism, also rejecting the caste system. While viewing the less collosal and erotic, but equally intricate temples, we learned about the five core principles of Jainism: nonviolence, speaking the truth, non-stealing, celibacy and chastity (other than with your spouse), and detachment to material values. These principals are clearly evident in the Dijamber sect of nudist Jains, stand in stark contrast to the caste- and pleasure-oriented Hindus. Interestingly, the Jains appear to be the Indian Jews, with past job discrimination relegating them to become frowned-upon money-lenders, accumulating great wealth, in part attributable to a reputation for “thriftiness” in accordance with their fifth principle.