Jainism

Introduction

Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. The first Tirthankar, Rishabhdevflourished prior to the Indus Valley Civilization and has been referred to as Lord Vishnu in the Puranas. His name is also mentioned in the Vedas. The ancient Indian script, Brahmi, is believed to be named after his (Rishabhdev's) daughter. He was followed by 23 other Tirthankars. The Jains believe that the Indus Valley Civilization fiourished during the times between the third and the ninth Tirthankaras . 

The different Tirthankaras are:

Rishabha; Ajita; Sambhava; Abhinandana; Sumati; Padmaprabha; Supaarshva; Chandraprabha; Pushpadanta; Shitalnatha; Shreyaamsha;  Vaasupujya; Vimala;  Ananta; Dharma; Shanti;  Kuntha;  Aara; Mallinaatha; Munisuvrata; Nami; Nemi; Paarshvanath  and  Mahavira.

Lord Mahavira was born at Vaishali in a Kshatriya nobel family, on March 30, 599 B.C. He was a contemporary of Lord Buddha. He was the 24th and the last of the Tirthankars. Mahavira was given a name – Vardhamana, which means rising or growing, by his parents because the family saw its prosperity after his birth. After leaving home at age of 30, for twelve years, he devoted himself to self discipline and practiced severest penance and austerities. He gave his first sermon on the Vipula Peak at Rajgir. His first disciple was Indrabhuti Gautama (female). He preached for the next 30 years, i.e. until the age of 72 when he obtained nirvana.

In his teachings, women had equal role to play and were not looked down upon.

3 jewels of Jainism

1. Right faith

2. Right knowledge 

3. Right conduct

The principles of Jainism as preached by Mahavir

1. Rejected the authority of Vedas & Vedic rituals

2. Did not believe in the existence of god.

3. Believed in karma & the transmigration of soul.

4. Lead great infancies on equality

The cardinal principles of Jainism are: 

1. Ahimsa (non-violence) 

2. Anekantvada (multiplicity of views) 

3. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) 

4. Non-stealing  

5. Brahmacharya (Chastity)

Jaina Sects 

Around 300 century B.C Jainism was divided into 2 parts: Shwetambara and Digambaras. 

Svetambara (white-clad) is a term describing its ascetics practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara (sky-clad) Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked. Svetambara, unlike Digambaras, do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity.

The Digambar sect of Jainism rejects the authority of the Jain Agama compiled by Sthulabhadra. They believe that by the time of Dharasena, the twenty-third teacher after Gandhar Gautama, knowledge of only one Anga was there. 

Jain Councils 

Towards the dose of Chandragupta Maurya's rule a terrible famine broke out in South Bihar. It lasted for about years. Bhadrabahu and his disciples migrated to Sravanabelgola in Karnataka. Other Jains remained in Magadha with Sthulabhadra as their leader. They summoned a first council at Pataliputra at about 300 B.C. In that council the sacred teaching of Mahavira were divided into twelve angas.

The second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in 512 A.D. and was presided over by  Devardhi Kshamasemana. The purpose of this Council was to collect the sacred texts and write them down systematically. However this time the 12th anga drawn at the first Council was lost. All the remaining angas were written in Ardhamagadhi.

The reasons for spreading of Jainism: 

a) The success was the popular dialect (Prakrit, Religious literature was also written inArdhamagadhi) used in place of Sanskrit by Mahavira and his followers. 

b) The simple and homely morals prescribed to the masses attracted the people. 

c) The patronage extended by Kings helped Jainism to gain a place in the minds of the people.

Source:: Iasscore