Jainism

• According to Jain tradition, there were 24 Tirthankaras (Ford Makers – those who help beings cross the ocean of worldly existence).
• The first Tirthankara was Rishabhadeva (Adinatha), while the 24th and last Tirthankara was Mahavira.
• The Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana describe Rishabhadeva as an incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Narayana (Vishnu).
• The names of two Jain Tirthankaras, namely Rishabha and Arishtanemi, are also mentioned in the Rig Veda.
• The historicity of the first 22 Tirthankaras remains uncertain and ambiguous due to the absence of reliable historical evidence.
• Historians generally accept the historical authenticity of only the last two Tirthankaras:
  • Parshvanatha (23rd Tirthankara)
  • Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)

Parshvanatha (23rd Tirthankara)

• Parshvanatha was a prince of Varanasi (Benaras) who renounced royal life and became an ascetic (hermit).
• He attained death (Nirvana) at Sammet Shikhar (Parasnath Hills) located in Giridih district of Jharkhand.
• Parshvanatha preached Four Fundamental Principles (Chaturyama/Chaturvrata):
  1. Ahimsa – Non-violence
  2. Satya – Truthfulness (Non-lying)
  3. Asteya – Non-stealing
  4. Aparigraha – Non-possession
• Mahavira accepted all these four teachings and introduced a fifth principle, namely:

• 1. Brahmacharya – Celibacy (Chastity)

Twenty-Four Jain Tirthankaras and Their Symbols

Life of Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)

• Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in 540 BC at Kundagrama, near Vaishali in present-day Bihar.
• His father, Siddhartha, was the chief of the Jnatrika (Nayaka) Kshatriya clan under the Vajji Confederacy, while his mother, Trishala, was the sister of Chetaka, the ruler of Vaishali.
• Mahavira was also related to King Bimbisara of Magadha, as Bimbisara had married Chellana, who was the daughter of Chetaka.
• He married Yashoda, the daughter of King Samarvira, and they had a daughter named Anoja Priyadarshini.
• Jamali, the husband of Anoja Priyadarshini, later became the first disciple of Mahavira.
• At the age of 30 years, following the death of his father, Mahavira renounced worldly life, embraced asceticism, and set out in search of the ultimate truth.
• During the early phase of his spiritual journey, he was accompanied by Makkhali Gosala. However, due to ideological differences, Gosala separated from Mahavira and subsequently founded the Ajivika Sect.
• At the age of 42 years, while meditating under a Sal tree at Jambhikagrama, situated on the banks of the River Rijupalika, Mahavira attained Kaivalya (Supreme Knowledge or Absolute Enlightenment).
• After attaining enlightenment, he became known by several honorific titles:
  • Kevalin – The Perfectly Enlightened One
  • Jina – The Conqueror of the Senses
  • Nirgrantha – One Free from All Worldly Bonds
  • Arhant – The Blessed One
  • Mahavira – The Great Hero
• His followers came to be known as Jains.
• Mahavira delivered his first sermon at Pava (Pavapuri) to his eleven chief disciples, collectively known as the Eleven Gandharas (Ganadharas).
• He later established the Jain Sangha (Jain Monastic Community) at Pava for the propagation of Jain teachings.
• At the age of 72 years, in 468 BC, Mahavira attained Nirvana (Death) at Pavapuri, near Bihar Sharif in Bihar.
• After Mahavira’s death, Sudharma was the only one among the Eleven Gandharas who survived, and he played a crucial role in preserving and spreading the teachings of Jainism.

Doctrines of Jainism

Triratna (Three Jewels of Jainism)

The ultimate objective of Jainism is to attain liberation (Moksha) by following the Triratna (Three Jewels):

1. Samyak Shraddha / Samyak Vishwas (Right Faith)

• • It refers to true faith and belief in the teachings of the Tirthankaras.

2. Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge)

• • It means correct knowledge and proper understanding of the Jain doctrine and philosophy.

3. Samyak Charitra / Samyak Acharana (Right Conduct)

• • It signifies living according to the ethical principles and Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavratas) of Jainism.

Pancha Mahavratas (Five Great Vows of Jainism)

The Five Great Vows constitute the ethical foundation of Jainism:

1. 1. Ahimsa – Non-violence
   2. Satya – Truthfulness (Non-lying)
   3. Asteya – Non-stealing
   4. Aparigraha – Non-possession (Non-attachment)
   5. Brahmacharya – Celibacy (Chastity)

• The first four vows were originally preached by Parshvanatha.
• The fifth vow, Brahmacharya, was added by Mahavira.

Types of Knowledge in Jainism

Jain philosophy recognizes five kinds of knowledge (Jnana):

1. Mati Jnana

• • Knowledge acquired through sense perception and mental activity.

2. Shruta Jnana

• • Knowledge obtained from scriptures and revealed teachings.

3. Avadhi Jnana

• • Clairvoyant knowledge, enabling perception beyond ordinary sensory limits.

4. Manahparyaya Jnana

• • Telepathic knowledge, involving the ability to know the thoughts of others.

5. Kevala Jnana

• • Perfect knowledge or Omniscience, representing complete and absolute wisdom.

Syadvada (Theory of “May Be” or Relativism)

• Syadvada teaches that all judgments are relative, conditional, and limited, depending upon the viewpoint from which they are made.
• According to this doctrine, seven possible modes of predication are recognized, collectively known as Saptabhangi Nayavada.
• It rejects both absolute affirmation and absolute negation, asserting that reality must be understood from multiple perspectives.
• Syadvada is also known as Anekantavada, meaning the Doctrine of Pluralism or Multiplicity of Viewpoints.

Principles of Jainism as Preached by Mahavira

Mahavira propagated the following fundamental principles:

• • Rejected the authority of the Vedas and opposed Vedic rituals and sacrifices.
  • Did not believe in the existence of a supreme creator God.
  • Accepted the doctrines of Karma and Transmigration (Rebirth) of the Soul.
  • Laid great emphasis on equality and ethical living.

Jain Councils

First Jain Council

• • Year: 300 BC
  • Venue: Pataliputra
  • Chairman: Sthulabhadra
  • Patron: Chandragupta Maurya
  • Major Outcome: Compilation of the Twelve Angas (12 Angas).

Second Jain Council

• • Year: 512 AD
  • Venue: Vallabhi
  • Chairman: Devardhi Kshamashramana
  • Major Outcome: Final compilation of the Twelve Angas and Twelve Upangas.

Jain Literature

• The sacred literature of the Svetambara sect was composed in a form of Prakrit known as Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
• The Jain canonical literature is broadly classified into:
  • 12 Angas
  • 12 Upangas
  • 10 Prakirnas
  • 6 Chedasutras
  • 4 Mulasutras
  • 2 Sutra-Granthas

Important Note

• The 14 Purvas (Parvas) originally formed part of the Twelve Angas and are regarded as the oldest body of Mahavira’s teachings.

Other Important Jain Texts

Apart from the canonical literature, several important Jain works include:

• • Kalpasutra (written in Sanskrit) — Authored by Bhadrabahu
  • Bhadrabahu Charita
  • Parishishta Parvan (an appendix to the Trishashtishalakapurusha Charita) — Authored by Hemachandra

Sects of Jainism

• In 298 BC, a severe famine in Magadha (South Bihar) forced a large number of Jain monks to migrate to the Deccan (South India).
• This migration was led by Bhadrabahu along with Chandragupta Maurya, and they eventually settled at Shravanabelagola in present-day Karnataka.
• After spending twelve years in South India, the migrating monks returned to Magadha.
• During their absence, the group that had remained in Magadha was led by Sthulabhadra.
• On their return, Bhadrabahu and his followers insisted that complete nudity was an essential teaching of Mahavira, whereas the monks who had stayed in Magadha had adopted the practice of wearing white garments.
• This difference in religious practices led to the division of Jainism into two major sects:

1. Shvetambara Sect (White-Clad)

• • The Shvetambaras believed that monks could wear white robes while following the path of renunciation.
  • Sthulabhadra is regarded as the leader of the Shvetambara tradition.

2. Digambara Sect (Sky-Clad)

• • The Digambaras believed that complete nudity symbolized absolute renunciation and was an essential requirement for attaining liberation.
  • Bhadrabahu is regarded as the leader of the Digambara tradition.

Jain Architecture

1. Jain Cave Architecture (Gumphas)

Important Jain rock-cut caves include:

• • Hathigumpha
  • Baghagumpha
  • Udayagiri Caves
  • Khandagiri Caves

These monuments are located in Odisha and are closely associated with King Kharavela.

2. Dilwara Temples

The famous Dilwara Jain Temples situated at Mount Abu (Rajasthan) include:

• • Vimal Vasahi Temple
  • Tejapala Temple

These temples are renowned for their magnificent marble architecture and intricate carvings.

3. Jain Temples of Gujarat

Two of the most important Jain pilgrimage centres in Gujarat are:

• • Girnar
  • Palitana

4. Jain Temples of Bihar

Prominent Jain temples located in Bihar include:

• • Pavapuri Temple
  • Rajgir (Rajagriha) Temple

5. Statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali)

• • The colossal statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali) is located at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.
  • It is one of the most celebrated monuments of Jain art and architecture.

Royal Patrons of Jainism

Royal Patrons in North India

Important rulers who supported Jainism in North India include:

• • The Nanda rulers
  • Bimbisara
  • Ajatashatru
  • Udayin (Haryanka Dynasty)
  • Chandragupta Maurya
  • Bindusara
  • Samprati (Maurya Dynasty)
  • Pradyota (Avanti)
  • Udayana (Sindhu-Sauvira)
  • Kharavela (Kalinga)

Royal Patrons in South India

Important dynasties and rulers who promoted Jainism in South India include:

• • Ganga Dynasty
  • Kadamba Dynasty
  • Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta Dynasty)
  • Siddharaj Jai Singh and Kumarapala (Chaulukya/Solanki Dynasty), who are regarded as the last great royal patrons of Jainism.