The Jain Temple in Pewaukee, WI provides a place to worship while providing religious, humanitarian, cultural and educational resources to the community. It also promotes ideals for world peace, harmony, spiritual and personal health.

What is Jainism

Below is a brief summary of Jainism and who Jains are. Jainism is said to be the codification of eternal universal truths. Over time, these truths lapse amongst humanity and then reappear through the teachings of Omniscient Teachers called Tirthankaras. Jainism is more of a philosophy than a religion requiring worship of celestial beings. Jain believe that there is no beginning or end to time, contrary to the greater belief of a Creator God or a First Cause. Jains define ‘God’ to mean omniscient beings who have shed their karmic bondages and are free from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Jains bow down to the Tirthankaras, a subset of Gods, for showing them the true path to enlightenment and aspire to be like them. Jains believe that all living beings are capable of achieving ‘Godhood’. The Jain community is split into four categories: monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen, this is called the Jain Sangha. The word Jain comes from the sanskrit word Jina meaning conqueror. So one who has conquered all his passions and liberated himself from the cycle of birth and re-birth can be called a Jain.