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I am a shweatambar Jain and I know nothing literally nothing so where should I being to learn about jainism at the ageof 17.
Very nice that you want to start at 17. That itself is a big punya.
You said you “know nothing”, so let’s keep it very simple and step‑by‑step, especially from a Shwetambar point of view.
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1. Start with the basics: “What is Jain Dharma?”
First, get a clear idea of:
- Who is a Jain?
- What do Jains believe about soul (atma), karma, birth–death?
- Why ahimsa (non‑violence) is so important?
You can read a very simple intro here: “You can read more here ”
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2. Learn the 3 fundamentals (Triratna)
Every Jain, monk or layperson, stands on these three:
- Samyak Darshan – Right Faith / Right Vision
Faith in truth: soul, karma, Tirthankars, liberation.
- Samyak Jnān – Right Knowledge
Knowing reality correctly (no blind belief, no superstition).
- Samyak Chāritra – Right Conduct
Living with vows, discipline, ahimsa, self‑control.
For now:
- Just remember these three names.
- Try to notice in daily life: “Is this thought/speech/action going towards right vision, knowledge, or conduct?”
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3. Build a small daily routine (5–10 minutes)
Since you are Shwetambar, a very simple starter routine:
- Morning/Night – Namokar Mantra
- Stand or sit, fold hands, recite slowly. - Even if you don’t know full meaning, recite with respect. - Focus that you are bowing to: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and all Sadhus.
You can see Namokar and meaning here: “You can read more here ”
- One small “niyam” (rule)
Choose only one to begin with, for example: - “I will not eat after sunset.” or - “I will not eat green vegetables on one chosen day of the week.” or - “I will avoid anger on purpose today; if I get angry, I will say sorry.”
Do not try to do everything at once. Start small but be regular.
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4. Understand your identity as a Shravak / Shravika
At 17, you are a Shravak (lay follower). Your path is:
- Study
- Family responsibilities
- Earning (later)
- Practicing dharma inside all this
For a shravak, very important things are:
- Panch Anuvrat (5 small vows for laypeople)
- Practicing basic ahimsa in food, speech, behaviour
- Respect for sadhus–sadhvis and temples
You can later read about the 5 vows here: “You can read more here ”
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5. Start with stories – easiest way to fall in love with Jainism
Philosophy can feel heavy in the beginning. Stories are easier:
- Lives of Tirthankars (especially Mahavir Swami)
- Stories of great Shravaks and Shravikas
- Stories showing result of good and bad karma
This will:
- Build faith
- Show how principles work in real life
You can explore simple Jain stories here: “You can read more here ”
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6. Very simple study plan for the next 3–4 months
Month 1: Devotion & Identity
- Learn and recite Namokar Mantra daily.
- Read a short life story of Mahavir Swami.
- Take one niyam (e.g., no food after sunset 3 days a week).
Month 2: Basic Concepts
- Learn:
- Start reading short articles in simple Hindi/English (like on JainKnowledge).
Month 3: Vows & Practical Life
- Understand:
- Try to practice:
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7. Use your age as strength
At 17:
- Your memory is strong – good for learning sutras/stotras.
- Your mind is open – good for understanding logic of Jain philosophy.
- Your habits are still forming – perfect time to build pure habits.
Even 5–10 minutes daily, honestly done, is better than doing a lot for a few days and then stopping.
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8. Very small first steps you can start today
Today itself you can:
- Learn or read Namokar Mantra once slowly.
- Decide one niyam for just one week (e.g., “no food after sunset for 2 days this week”).
- Read one short article about “What is Jain Dharma?”
For that first article: “You can read more here ”
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If you want, next time you can tell me:
- Do you know Namokar already or need it written out?
- Are you more comfortable in Hindi, English, or mixed?
Then we can build a very simple personal routine for you as a Shwetambar shravak, step by step.
