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Jain Dharam and The Principle of Jainism
– Jain word: Composed of ‘Jin’ which literally means – winner.
– The founder of Jainism was Rishabhdev who is known as the first Tirthankara.
– Jain saints are called Tirthankaras.
Note: Rigveda mentions two Jain Tirthankaras Rishabhdev (Adinath) and Arishtanemi.
Note: In both Rigveda and Yajurveda, only Rishabhdev is mentioned.
– Rishabhdev is mentioned in Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana.
– The names of 24 Tirthankaras have been given in the Jain tradition, except for Parshvanath and Mahavira, the historicity of all is doubtful.
– Parshvanath was the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism. He was the son of Kashi King Ashwasen, he has been called “Purushapadaniyam” in Jain texts.
– Parshvanath had propounded the four great vows of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (Non Stealling) and Aparigraha (non-possession).
Vardhamana Mahavira
– Mahavira, the real founder of Jainism, was born in 540 BC at Kundagram near Vaishali. His father Siddhartha was the head of the Gyantrika clan and mother Trishala was the sister of Chetak, the head of the Lichchavi Republic. Mahavir’s childhood name was Vardhamana.
Note: According to some historical texts, Mahavira was born in 599 BC and died in 527 BC.
– He was married to Yashoda and their daughter’s name was Priyadarshana.
– At the age of 30, Mahavir left the house with the permission of his elder brother Nandivardhan.
– After 12 years of rigorous penance, Vardhamana attained Kaivalya on the banks of river Rijupalika near Jambhik village (under the Sal tree).
– After attaining Kaivalya, he became known as Kevalin, for having conquered the senses, Jitendriya and because of showing incomparable might, he was called Mahavira.
– Mahavira founded a sangha during his lifetime, which had 11 major followers, called Gandharas.
– At the age of 72, he attained nirvana in 468 BC at Pavapuri near Rajgriha. (Malla State)
– After Mahavira’s death only one Gandhar Sudharman survived, who became the first president of the Jain Sangh after him.
– Mahavira attained Kaivalya under the Sal tree. Earlier these were called ‘Nigranth’.
– Jain monasteries are known as Basadi in South India.
Doctrine of Jainism
– Panch Mahavrat-1. Ahimsa (Non-Injury), 2. Satya (Truthfulness) 3. Aprigraha (Possession), 4. Asteya (Non-stealing) and 5 Brahmcharya.
– Not believing in God as the creator. (atheistic)
– The existence of gods is accepted but their place is below ‘Jin’.
– Jainism is karmwadi and believes in reincarnation.
– Other religious sect
| Sect | Founder |
| Aajivaka | Makkhali Goshal |
| Akriyavadi | Puran Kashyap |
| Extremism (Uchhedwadi) | Ajit Keshakambali |
| Nityawadi | Pakudha Kaccayana |
| Skeptic (Sandehwadi) | Sanjaya Velathaliputta |
Three Gem of Jainism
1. Right faith (Samyak Darshan) – belief in truth
2. Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnan) 3. Right Action/ Conduct (Samyak Acharana) – Equality towards happiness and sorrow arising in worldly matters.
– Syadvada : In Jainism, knowledge has been viewed from 7 different points of view which is called Syadvada. It is also called the principle of Anekantavada or Saptabhangi.
– Anekantavada : The soul is in all things in the world. The souls are different in the same way souls are also different.
– Nirvana : The liberation of the soul from the bondage of karma is called ‘Nirvana’.
– The concept of Anant Chatushtaya is related to Jainism.
– The concept of “Shalaka Purush” is related to Jainism.
– There are three sources of knowledge in Jainism:
– Direct (Pratyaksh) , Inferred (Anuman) and Words of Tirthankaras.
– Jamali and Tisagupta revolted in Jainism.
– Jamali was the first disciple of Mahavira and the husband of his daughter Priyadarshana.
– Mahavir gave his first sermon on the hill of Vipulachal of Rajgriha.
– After the death of Mahavir, Sudharman became the first president of the Jain Sangh.
– Jain literature was written in Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi) language and Jain literature is called “Agam”.
– Symbols of Jain Tirthankaras:-
Tirthankaras Symbol
(1) Rishabhadev Bull
(2) Ajitnath Elephant
(3) Sambharnath Horse
(4) Neminath Blue Lotus
(5) Arishtanemi Conch Shell
(6) Parshwanath Serpent
(7) Mahavira Lion
– Council :
1st Jain Council
| Venue | Patliputra |
| Year | 300 BC |
| Chairman | Sthulabhadra (Patron-Chandragupt Maurya) |
| Work | Editing of 12 parts of Jainism, division of Jainism into Shvetambara and Digambara |
2nd Jain Council
| Venue | Vallabhi (Gujarat) |
| Year | 513 AD (6th century) during the reign of Sravasena I of the Maitraka dynasty |
| Chairman | Devardhi Kshmarmamana |
| Work | The final compilation of Jain texts was done and written. |
Sect of Jainism
– In the 4th century BC, there was a severe famine in Magadha for 12 years, due to which Bhadrabahu went to Karnataka with his disciples and Sthulabhadra remained in Magadha with his disciples. The change in the lifestyle of the monks of Magadha until the return of Bhadrabahu led to the partition.
– Jain monks residing in Magadha were called Shwetambaras under the leadership of Sthulabhadra. They used to wear white clothes.
– Jain monks were called Digambaras under the leadership of Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu. He considered himself pure and believed in being naked.
– The Jain text ‘Kalpasutra’ was composed by Bhadrabahu.
– Pujera, Dhundia etc. were the sub-sects of Shwetambara.
– The Bees Panthi, Terapanthi and Taranpanthi were the sub-sects of the Digambaras.
– Jains composed many texts in Prakrit language, especially in Shauraseni Prakrit.
– Jain literature is called Agama which includes 12 Angas, 12 Upangas, Prakirna, Chhandsutra etc.
– Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu, Parshvanath, Adinath Temple located in Khajuraho are prominent in Jain architecture.
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