Jainism

Jainism beliefs in india mahavir jain mahavira

• The Jain tradition has a succession of great teachers or Tirthankaras.
• There were 24 Tirthankaras the last of which was Vardhaman Mahavira  539- 467 BC.
• The 1st Tirthankara is believed to be Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev.
• The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi.
• He may have lived in the 8th or 7th century BC.
• All the Tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth.

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Vardhamana Mahavira (539- 467 BC)

• Vardhamana Mahavira was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali in 539 B.C.
• His parents were Kshatriyas.
• Father – Siddhartha (Head of Jnatrika Clan); Mother – Trishala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka). (Chetaka’s daughter married Haryanka King Bimbisara).
• Mahavira was married to Yasoda and had a daughter Anojja or Priyadarsana.
• At the age of 30, Vardhaman Mahavira renounced his home and became a wandering ascetic..
• He also observed self-mortification.
• After 13 years of penance, Mahavira attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala Jnan.
• He attained this at Jimbhikagrama village under a sal tree aged 42.
• This is called Kaivalya.
• Thereafter, he was called Mahavira, Jina, Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses), Nigrantha (free from all bonds) and Kevalin.
• Vardhamana Mahavira preached his teachings for 30 years and died at Pava (near Rajagriha) aged 72.

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Teachings of Jainism

• Mahavira rejected Vedic principles.
• He did not believe in God’s existence. 
• According to him, the universe is a product of the natural phenomenon of cause and effect.
• Vardhamana Mahavira believed in Karma and transmigration of the soul.
• The body dies but soul does not.
• One will be punished or rewarded as per one’s karma.
• Mahavira advocated a life of austerity and non-violence.
• Stressed on equality but did not reject the caste system unlike Buddhism.
• But he also said that man may be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ as per his actions and not birth.
• Asceticism was taken to a great length.
• Starvation, nudity and self-mortification were expounded.
• Two elements of the world
  • Jiva (conscious)
  • Atma (unconscious)

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Jain Text

• Jain Literature is called Jain Agamas.
• They are canonical texts of Jainism based on Mahavira’s teachings.
• There are in all 46 texts.
• 12 Upanga Agams
  • Upanga Agamas are explanations to Angas
• 6 Chedasutras
  • These are texts related to behavior of Monks and Nuns.
• 4 Mulasutras
  • These are texts which provide a base in the earlier stages of the monkshood
• 10 Prakirnaka sutras
  • These are texts on Independent or miscellaneous subjects
• 2 Culika sutras
  • These are texts which further enhance or decorate the meaning of Angas.

Jainism beliefs in india mahavir jain mahavira

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Triratnas of Jainism

• Right faith
• Right knowledge
• Right conduct (observance of five vows)
  • Ahimsa (non-violence)
  • Satya (truth)
  • Asteya (no stealing)
  • Parigraha (no acquiring property)
  • Brahmacharya (abstinence)

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Spread of Jainism

• Mahavira admitted both women and shudras in its order of followers
• He used prakrit (common language) for preaching instead of sanskrit
• 200 years after the death of Mahavira, there was a serious famine in Ganga valley.
• Many Jain followers led by Chandragupta Maurya & Bhadrabahu left for south (Karnataka) and rest stayed back under the leadership of Sthalbahu.
• Emigrants spread Jainism in south India.

Jainism beliefs in india mahavir jain mahavira

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Split in Jainism

• When Bhadrabahu left for South India, Sthulabahu remained in the North with his followers.
• Sthulabahu changed the code of conduct and said that white clothes could be worn.
• Thus, split Jainism into two sects:
  • Swetambaras: White-clad; Northerners
  • Digambaras: Sky-clad (naked); Southerners

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Swetambaras

• Swetambaras are divided into different sects
  • Murtipujakas
  • Sthanakavavasi
  • Terapanthi
  • Gacchas (total 84 Gacchas)

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Digambaras

• Digambaras are divided into different sects
  • Bisapantha
  • Terapantha
  • Taranapatha
  • Gumanapantha
  • Totapantha 
  • Kanjipantha

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1st Council

• Held at Pataliputra in the 3rd century BC.
• Presided by Sthulabahu.
• 12 Angas were compiled here.

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2nd Council

• Held at Vallabhi in Gujarat in the 512 AD.
• Presided by Devardhigani.

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Royal patrons of Jainism

South India

• Kadamba dynasty
• Ganga dynasty
• Amoghavarsha
• Kumarapala (Chalukya dynasty)

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North India

• Bimbisara
• Ajatasatru
• Chandragupta Maurya
• Bindusara
• Kharavela

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