JAINISM
- Jainas believe that origin of Jainism goes back to very ancient times.
- Jainas believe in 24 tirthankaras or great teachers or leaders of their religion.
- Rishabhdeva is believed to be the first tirthankara by the Jainas. He was also known as Adinath.
- The twenty third Tirthankara, Parshvanath was the son of Ikshvaku king Ashvasena of Kasi.
- Rishabhdeva and Arishtanemi are mentioned in the Rigveda.
- Vayu Purana and Bhagvat Purana mention Rishabhdeva as the incarnation of Narayana.
- The twenty-fourth tirthankara was Vardhamana Mahavira.
1. Life of Mahavira
- Vardhamana Mahavira, was born in the village of Kundagrama near Vaishali in about 540 BC.
- His father Siddhartha was the chief of Jnatrika clan.
- His mother Trisala was the sister of Chetaka, an eminent Licchchavi noble of Vaishali. Chetaka’s daughter in later times was married to Bimbisara, the king of Magadha.
- He was married to Yashoda and lived a life of householder.
- His daughter’s name was Annoja and his son in law was Jameli.
- He became an ascetic at the age of 30.
- During the next 12 years, he practiced most rigorous asceticism.
- In the thirteenth year, at the age of 42, he attained Kaivalya i.e. the supreme knowledge and final deliverance from the bonds of pleasure and pain. Hence he was called Kevalin.
- He sat under a sal tree on the bank of river Riju Palik or Rijukala in Jambhika gram near Vaishali for the attainment of Kaivalya.
- He was also known as Jina which means conqueror of senses and his followers were called Jainas.
- He founded a Jain Sangha at Pawapuri to propagate his faith.
- He died in 468 BC at the age of 72 at Pawapuri.
2. Teachings of Jainism
- Five Cardinal Truths of Jainism are:(i) Ahimsa (non-injury to living beings)(ii) Satya (speaking the truth)(iii) Asteya (non-stealing)(iv) Aparigraha (non-possession of property)(v) Brahmacharya (continence or celibacy)
- First four of the above Cardinal Truths were originally given by Parshvanath. The fifth was added by Mahavira.
- Five Cardinal Truths are called as Panch Mahavratas for monks and Panch Anuvratas for common people respectively.
- The triratnas of Jainism are:(i) Samyaka Jnana (Right knowledge)(ii) Samyaka Vichara (Right thought)(iii) Samyaka Karma (Right action)
- Philosophy of Jainism is called Syadvada which literally means ‘theory of may be’. It says that there is no absolute answer to a question.
- Jainism says that souls are everywhere even in stones, rocks, water, etc.
- Jainism says salvation is possible only by abandoning all possessions, a long course of fasting, self mortification, study and meditation. Therefore, the monastic life is essential for salvation.
- According to Jainism the eternal world is full of sorrow and pain.
- Jainism says that the universe is comprised of jiva (spirit/soul), ajiva (physical matter), dharma, adharma, kala and akash.
- According to Jainism it is not god’s but man’s deeds (karma) and the fruits thereof (karmaphala) that shape the destiny of a man.
- Jainism has given much wider definition to non-violence which includes non-violence of thought, speech and action.
- Jainism did not recognise caste system and Aryan religion.
- Jainism advocated simple and austere life.
- Jainism did not believe in god.
- Sallekhna is an orthodox Jaina tradition in which a person accepts voluntary death by fasting.
- According to Jainism there are three sources of knowledge viz. Pratyaksha, anuman and sayings of the tirthankaras.
3. Sects in Jainism
- It is believed that about two hundred years after the death of Mahavira a terrible famine broke out in Magadha.
- Chandragupta Maurya was the king and Bhadrabahu was the chief of Jaina community at that time.
- Chandragupta and Bhadrabahu, along with their followers went to Karnataka leaving Sthulabahu incharge of the Jainas that remained in Magadha.
- The Jainas who went to Karnataka were called Digambaras (those who were stark naked) and the Magadhan Jainas were called Shvetambaras (those who put on white robes).
- Digambaras observed the tenets of Jainism very strictly while the Shvetambaras were liberal in approach.
- Some of the patrons of Jainism are Chandragupta Maurya, Kharvelas of Kalinga, Rashtrakutas of Deccan, Chamundaraya, Solanki rulers of Gujarat and Indra-IV (Rashtrakuta king).
4. Jaina Literature
- Jaina literature was first written in Prakrit and later in Sanskrit.
- Purvas literature is almost lost. Later literature consists of 12 angas, 12 upangas, 10 prakirnas, 6 chhedasutras and 4 mulasutras.
- Purvas were 14 in number.
- Kalpasutra was written by Bhadrabahu.
Jaina Councils
| Sl. | Date/Place | Headed by | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 300 BC, Pataliputra | Sthulabhadra | Jains divided into Shvetambara & Digambara |
| IInd | 6th Century AD, Vallabhi | Devardhi Kshamashraman | 12 angas and 12 upangas were compiled |
Jaina Architecture
- Hathigumpha Cave — Khavela
- Dilwara Temples — Mt Abu (Rajasthan)
- Rock cut caves — Badami & Aihole
Difference between Buddhism & Jainism
Jainism
- Stressed extreme path for attaining salvation.
- Great stress upon asceticism and practised it in a very rigorous manner.
- Digambaras did not wore any cloths.
Buddhism
- Moderate or middle path for attaining salvation.
- Asked to choose between a life of care & luxury and rigorous asceticism.
- Buddha denounced the practice of going out naked.
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