Introduction

Many people in the United States worry about their health. It is one of the most important things that they need in their lives. In the real world, health is all about taking care of your body. Health is defined as physical, mental, and social well-being. Health is a part of Jainism and Falun Gong daily practices. It’s not only a physical thing, but it’s also involves spirituality. Both religions use their daily practice to guide themselves to live their life as an unselfish person. It’s quite interesting that their health has some effect on their religion. Sure there are meditations and learning how to keep your spirit and body sacred. But as for these two religions, it’s more about exercise and eating healthy.

Jainism Beliefs

Jainism believes in a “person” called Tirthankar. He’s not a “God,” he’s a soul. Jains believe in reincarnation. The three main cultivations are right faith, knowledge, and action. They also believe in Karma. They believe that it helps them make sense between the bad and good. Karma is another way of saying reincarnation. They prefer to call it karma instead of reincarnation because it’s a physical substance. The goal is to get rid of one's karma on their soul so that they may end this cycle. There are 5 principles that involve getting rid of bad karma. They are, protect all life, tell the truth, do not steal, do not commit adultery, and to limit one possession. Karma determines their rebirth form. The reason why karma is such a big deal because it’s particles affects the person’s emotions and it affects what’s going to happen to the soul in the present and future.

Jainism daily practice & worship

Jainism practices vegetarianism and non-violence. Jainism does non-violence practices because it helps them learn how to view a situation through other aspects. It is important for them to not be selfish and always think of others before themselves. They follow a vegetarian diet, which means they can only eat certain things. Such as, fresh fruit, fruit juices, vegetables, cereals, whole-grains, milk, and nuts. They are not allowed to accept food from someone or eat in the dark or in front of someone because it’s part of their vow so that they don’t have bad karma. Not only does it help get rid of bad karma for the Jainism, but it helps their health and maintain a great body. They also read daily text each day and meditate each day so that they can conquer the inner enemies and temptations. Although in other religions, people worship because they are told to so or if they want something from their God, but on the other hand, Jainism worship because they want to. They believe in karma, so what goes around comes around. They believe worshiping/ prayer will get rid of the bad karma; it brings purification.

Falun Gong's Beliefs

Falun Gong believes that their practices bring peace to the world and have a better health. By doing these practices, it helps them overcome physical and emotional problems. It gives them moral guidance and metaphysical speculations. Also, it gives each member hope on their future. They believe in a philosophy for self-improvements. Cultivation plays a big role in their beliefs. Cultivating helps eliminates the illness and prevent people from having a disease. Karma surrounds the body and can possibly turn the person sick. It involves body, mind, and spirit. A body is a high priority; it focused on improving health and well-being.

Falun Gong daily practice & worship

Falun Gong includes five exercises, four standing and one sitting down. They use Yoga and Tai Chi to help with these practices. This helps improves their health, reduce stressing, and increase energy. They have 3 main important contents in their practices. It is truth, compassion, and tolerance. By practicing these exercises, it helps them extend their level of thinking and helps them become an unselfish person. With their mind changing, it brings them to better state of mind and has a purer heart. Falun Gong exercise about 1-2 hours each day to maintain their health and inner spirituality in checked. Not only do they exercise each day, but they also read their FLG books. Falun Gong usually meditates and performs their rituals everyday. At the end of the day, this daily practice helps refined the body and mind.

Quotes

“Until we extend our circle of compassion to include every living creature we cannot enjoy 'World PEACE'.” - Albert Schweitzer

What this quote is trying to say is that we need to stop being selfish and think about other living things except ourselves. Insects might seem worthless and it doesn’t matter if they died or not, but it’s a living thing and it deserve to live just like us human. Now and days, the world has gotten worse throughout each day. So why keep doing what we’ve been doing? We should create world peace. That’s the only way we can stop the hatred, judgments, and stereotypes.

“The highest religion is to rise to universal brother hood; aye to consider all creatures your equals.” - Guru Nanak

What this quote is saying is that there is no higher power. No one is above one another on earth. Everyone has an equal opportunity and rights. Even animals and insects. Do you think they deserve to be killed and used as food? How would you feel if someone killed you because they were hungry? This world needs to have equality. That’s how you can build world peace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Jainism and Falun Gong share the same identity of using their daily practices as a way of them to improve their un-selfish ways and maintain in good shape. They both believe that karma can have a hug affect on their body and religion. It is very important for them to keep their body in good shape. It just might be only exercise for you, but to them, it’s finding your inner self. Not only that, but to bring world peace together. That’s why they do these daily practices every single day. Basically, for these two religions, daily practicing plays a big role in their lives and religion.