Jainism

Jainism

• Jain realign is founded by Rishabhanath. He is an incarnation of Narayhana in Vishnu Purana and the Bhagvat Purana

• There were 24 Tirthakaras of Jain realign. Rishabhanatha is the first Tirthakara.

• Rig Veda mentions about two Rishabhanath and Aristhtanemi (he is also a Tirthakara)

• Parshwanath is 23^rd Tirthakara. He was the prince of Banaras. He died at Sammet Sikhar/ Parasnath Hill in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand

• 24^th Tirthakara was Vardhman Mahavira. 

Mahavira

About Mahavira

Born – 540 BC

Death – 468 BC (Age 72)

Born Place– Kundaligram (Vaishali, Bihar)

Father – Sidhartha

Mother - Trishala Mata

Wife – Yashoda

Daughter –Priyadarsena (wife of Jamali)

Renunciation - At the age of 30 he became an ascetic and joined an order founded by Parshwanath left it later.

Kaivalya – At the age of 42 under the SAL TREE at Jrambhik grama in Eastern India on the bank of river Rijupalika.

First Sermon – At Pava to his 11 disciples known as Gandgharas. He also founded in Jain Sangha at Pava.

Also known as – Mahavira also known as Jaina or Jitendra, Kevalin, Nrigrantha and Arihant

Death – At the age of 72 in 468 BC at Pavauri near Rajagriha.

Lessons of Mahavira

* He did not believe in existence of God and rejected the authority of Vedas.

* He believes that every object of world possesses a soul, so he professed strict non-violence.

* Universal brotherhood (equality) and non belief in caste system.

* He believed in karma and transmigration of soul.

Philosophy of Jain

* 3 Ratnas - also called way of Nirvana

  Right faith – Samyak Vishwas

  Right knowledge – Samyak Jnan

  Right Conduct – Samyak Karma

* 5 Cardinal Principals

  Non – injury (Ahinsa)

  Non – lying (Satya)

  Non-possession (Aparigraha)

  Observing Continence (Brahmacharya)

Note –First four principals were given by Parshwanath but fifth one is added by Mahavira

* 5 instrument of knowledge

  Mati jnana perception through activity of sense organs including the brain.

  Avadhi jnana Clairvoyant perception.

  Shruta jnana knowledge revealed by scriptures

  Manahparyaya jnana Telepathic knowledge

  Keval jnana omniscience or Temporal knowledge

Jain Councils

1^st council-

Year – 3^rd century BC

Chairman –Sthulabhadra

Royal Patron – Chandragupta Maurya

Developments - Compilation of 12 Angas to replace 14 Purvas

2^nd council-

Year – AD 512

Chairman –Devridhigani Kshmasramana

Royal Patron – *

Developments – First Omniscience or Temporal knowledge

Sects of Jainism

After the death of Mahavira, during the reign of King Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine led to a great exodus of Jain monk from Ganga valley to the Deccan. This migration led to a great schism in Jainism

Bhadrabahu who led the emigrants insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity which Mahavira had established Digambaras.

Sthulabhadra, the leader of the monk who remained in the north allowed his followers to wear white garments.