Jainism



It is generally believed that the founder of Jainism was Mahavira. It is now recognized that Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara.

The sacred books of Jainism tell us that their first Tirthankara was Rishabh, the founder of Jainism.

Rishabh was followed by 23 Tirthankaras. The Vishnu Purana and Bhagavat Purana describe Rishabh as an incarnation of Narayana.


Mahavira (540 BC- 468 BC)

Clan: Gnatrika Clan

Father: Siddhartha Mother: Trishala

Birth Place: Kundagrama near Vaishali

Teachers: Alarakama and Udraka Ramputra

Kaivalya: At age of 43 under Sal tree at Jambhikagrama on banks of river Rijupalika.

First sermon: At Pava to his 11 disciples.

Places associated: Champa, Vaishali, Koshala, Mithila, Magadha and Pavapuri

Death: At age of 72 near Pavapuri.

Doctrines of Jainism/ Mahavira

Principles/ Vows 

Three Ratnas (jewels of Jainism)

Right Faith/ Samyak Shradha- belief in Tirthankaras.

Right Knowledge/ Samyak Jnan- knowledge of Jain creed.

Right Conduct/ Samyak Karma- practice of 5 vows of Jainism.

Theories

Sadvada/ Theory of may be

All our judgements are relative, conditional and limited.

Seven modes of prediction (Saptabhangi Nayavada)

Anekadantavada/ theory of plurality- knowledge cannot be perceived in isolation.


Jain Councils:

Council

Venue Chairma n And Patron

Result

First 300BC Patalipu tra Sthulabh adra and Chandrag upta Maurya Compilation of 12 Angas

Second 512AD Vallabhi Devardhi Kshmasra mana Final compilation of 12 Angas and

12 upangas


ASRAV-   Asrav means   inflow   and   according to Jain philosophy defined as the inflow of karmas to the soul. The influx of karmas occurs at every second in life. It is this process that keeps our souls wandering in this universe and prevents it from being free.

Samvara - It means stoppage—the stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness.

Nirjara is one of the seven fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy, and refers to the shedding or removal of accumulated karmas from the atma (soul), essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-


Important terms related to Jainism-


Vows Meaning

Ahimsa Non-Injury

Satya Non-Lying

Asteya Non-Stealing

Aparigraha Non-Possession

Brahmacharya Chastity

Balisadakas Officers for collecting Bali voluntary tax.

Shaulkika/ Shulkadhyaksha Collector of custom duties

Bhandagarika Treasurer

death and rebirth, by achieving moksha, liberation.

Kaivalya, also known as Kevala Jnana, means omniscience in Jainism and is roughly translated as complete understanding or supreme wisdom.

Sallekhana- also known as santhara. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.


Jainism and Buddhism Comparison

Jainism Buddhism

Non-violence

Gnana Marga for Salvation.

Accepted God but was considered lower than Jina

Accepted idea of soul Violence is inevitable.

Karma Marga for Salvation.

Remained silent on God.

Does not accepted the idea of soul


State and Varna Society during Buddha:

Period marked second stage of urbanization. (First stage was urbanization during Harappa)

Guild system prevailed on large scale.

Punched marked coins were issued for first time.

Taxes were collected directly by royal agents.

Pottery- Northern Black Polished ware (NBPW).

Advanced food producing economy for the first time with extensive tilling of alluvial plains.

Republican government was experimented where power was with the Tribal oligarchies.

The period produced texts dealing with sophisticated measurements called Sulvasutras.

Some Important functionaries

Guilds:

Different Names- Shreni, Puga, Nigama, Sangha, Gana, Head- Jyastha, Shresthi

Term for mobile Guild- Sartha, Head of mobile guild- Sarthavaha

Shreni dharma-

Rules and regulations of guilds

Recognised by Dharmasastra

It had force of law