Jainism is one amongst world`s oldest religionsestablished in the 6th century by Vardhamana who was

called Mahavira. Stories relating to the history of Jainism have appeared to us in a manner, which is
quite indistinguishable from miraculous tales. People are still much unaware of the early history of
Jainism. The Jains, as the followers are known as, follow the teachings of the Tirthankaras, out of whom;
Mahavir Jain brought together different preexisting beliefs and philosophies of the religion. He did this
in a systematic way, but he cannot be called the founder of the religion. Mahavir`s original name was
Vardhamana, and he was born in 599 B.C.

Mahavira was born in a wealthy family but then went through meditation and fasting and all sorts of
hardships to get his physical state accustomed to a much coarser way of life. He continued with the
religious tradition of Parsva who might be termed as the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. Teachings of
Jainism revolves around a comprehensive knowledge about the whole nature, universe as a whole,
which is termed as Keval Jnana. Right faith, right knowledge, right conduct forms the basic teachings in
Jainism that`s why they are called the `three jewels` or ratnatraya of Jainism. Jains strongly beileve in
Ahimsa meaning non-violence.

Mahavir`s teachings:
Vital aspects of the teachings of Jainism are based on few thoughts, which can help in having a better
peaceful life. Mahavira stressed on the thoughts like having right faith, proper conduct, and knowledge
is very important. These actually shape an individual`s life. Belief is very personal, until it makes sense it
can be considered useful, it cannot be taught or phrased. Similarly, all the living organisms including
humans, animals and the plant kingdom have a pure spirit or soul (jiva,which is a Jain word), which is
free in its own regard and has complete knowledge. This pure spirit is engulfed with gross things like
Karma, which actually obliterates our knowledge limiting our freedom and finally tying us up with one
another. Karma in Jainism has a different meaning. It is not the mysterious force controlling the fate of
living beings, deed or work but it simply refers to the composites of a very fine matter that is
unperceivable to the senses. A soul undergoes great transformation with its interaction with this matter.
Mahavir believed in Karma and teaches to free us from the miseries of Karma and gain Moksha or
Nirvana. Mahavira had no faith on God but believed in the existence of a power in all the souls, which is
omnipotent.

Five principals that Mahavira propagated are:

1. Ahimsa - not to injure any living beings.
2. Satya - to speak truth
3. Asteya - not to steal
4. Tyag - not to own property
5. Brahmacharia - to lead a virtuous life

Jainism has also advised ways to attain Moksha. In this context the nine Tattvas deserve a mention.
These nine principles are entwined with the theory of Karma, they are "jiva, ajiva, punya, paap, asrava,
bandha, samvara, nirjara and Moksha".
Impact of Jainism:
Teachings of Jainism has an extensive effect on the Indian population in terms of religion, culture,
language, cuisine and so on. Jainism has a global impact too, and today we find large population of the
Jain community in United States, United Kingdomn, Canada, and East Africa. Jainism today has a very
modern outlook; it fits to the modern world aptly. Mahavira propounded a casteless, class less society
with no high and low, gender distinctions. His teachings have helped in producing a better surrounding
to live in. Jainism teaches us to be truthful and honest, helps in creating a society bereft of theft, lies and
general insecurity. Jainism believes in existence of spirit among every living matter hence it encouraged
vegetarianism and abandonment of animal sacrifice. It is important from the most humane grounds and
has brought a change in the society. On the grounds of peace and non-violence Jainism has immense
contributions.

Teachings of Jainism stress on the ideas of equality, non-violence, spiritual liberation and self-control.
What Mahavira has taught ages back still has its significance in modern day life. Jains are an important
religious community and Jainism preaches on different principles of virtue enriching the population.

Jain Sects
Jain Sects are mainly two in number. The Swetamabaras and the Digambaras are the two major sects of
Jainism. The major sects of Jainism are further sub-divided into a number of sub-sects

Jains do not represent a united religious community, but are divided into a great number of sects. Splits
among them have been the order of the day since the most ancient times. The great sects of
Swetambaras and Digambaras are both divided into a number of schools, orders and smaller sects. The
causes of their origin and the differences between the two are quite diverse. Only a few of them owe
their origin to teachers whose views were different from those which were generally acknowledged.
Many came into existence purely on account of the fact that the pupils of a teacher or the monks of a
place came together who felt that they belonged together as one group with respect to one another.

A number of Ganas "schools", Kulas "sub-classification of schools" and Sakhas "branches" are already
mentioned in the Kalpa-sutra in which they were split. The number of Gachhas existing today is
negligible. The most important Gacchas of Swetambaras who worship idols are Tapa and a lot more.

Swetamabra Sect
Swetamabras are known for being clad in white clothes. They do not have the belief that women cannot
attain Moksha. This particular sect of Jainism practises the virtue of ahimsa in every way possible.

Digambara Sect
The Digambara sect of Jainism on the other hand moves about without clothes. This is because they
believe that nature is the best cover of the body. The Digambaras beg their food and eat only once a
day.

The two major sects of Jainism that is Swetambaras and Digambaras are further divided into a number
of sub-groups. The Swetambaras have been divided into three major sub-groups and the Digambaras
have two major divisions among them.

Principles Of Jainism
Principles of Jainism has given importance to the path of renunciation as the ultimatum for
attaining Moksha.

The principles of Jainism state that the way to nirvana lies through the three jewels or triratna which
includes faith in Jina, right knowledge and perfect conduct. Belief in real existence or tattvas is right
faith; knowledge of real nature without doubt or error is right knowledge and an attitude of neutrality
without desire or aversion towards the objects of the external world is right conduct. The three together
form one path, and are to be simultaneously pursued.

The principles say that virtue is incorporated in the fivefold conduct which includes Innocence, or
ahimsa, which is not mere negative abstention, but positive kindness to all creation; charity and truth
speaking; honourable conduct, such as, not stealing; chastity in word, thought and deed and
renunciation of all worldly interests mark the good man. The Jain principles lay stress on both faith and
works. A distinction is drawn between the code for laymen and that for ascetics. All those actions which
lead to peace of mind are punya. There are nine ways of obtaining punya or merit such as giving food to
the deserving, water to the thirsty, clothes to the poor, shelter to monks, etc.

Hinsa or infliction of suffering is the great sin or papa. Other sins are untruthfulness, dishonesty,
unchastity and covetousness. Anger, conceit, deceit and avarice also tie individuals down to the world,
and their opposites of patience, humility, simplicity and contentment further the growth of the spiritual
instincts. Other sins, such as hatred, quarrelsomeness, slander, defamation, abuse of others, lack of self-
control, hypocrisy and false faith are also mentioned. Sin is no offence against God, but only against
man.

It can be said that the Jain principles are far stricter than the principles of Buddhism. It looks upon
patience as the highest good and pleasure as a source of sin. Man should attempt to be indifferent to
pleasure and pain. True freedom consists in an independence of all outer things. That jiva, which
through desire for outer things experiences pleasurable or painful states, loses his hold on self and gets
bewildered, and led by outer things, he becomes determined by the other. That jiva, which being free
from relations to others and from alien thoughts through its own intrinsic nature of perception and
understanding perceives and knows its own eternal nature to be such, is said to have conduct that is
absolutely self-determined.
The Jains are not opposed to the caste system, which they try to relate to ones character. By one`s
actions one becomes a Brahmin, or a Kshatriya, or a Vaishya or Sudra. He, who is exempt from all
karmas, is called a Brahmin by the Jains. The Jains and the Buddhists use the word Brahmin as an
honorific title, applying it even to persons, who did not belong to the caste of Brahmins. The
exclusiveness and pride born of caste are condemned by the Jains.

Digambara Sect, Jain Sects

Digambara Sect is one of the major divisions of Jainism. The followers of Digambara sect do not
wear any clothes because they believe that environment is the best way to cover oneself.

Digambara sect is a major sect of Jainism also known as Digvasanas. They wear no clothes following the
practice of Lord Mahavira. In Sanskrit language the term Digambara means `sky clad`. The Digambar
monks do not consider themselves to be nude but consider themselves wearing the environment.
Digambaras believe that by discarding clothes they have been able to refuse to give in to the body`s
demand for comfort. They have only two possessions, a peacock feather broom to clear their path of
insects to avoid trampling them and a water gourd to drink water. They beg their food and eat only once
a day. They carry the alms they receive in cupped hands. A Digambara monk eats in standing posture
from the hollow of his hands. The standing posture is prescribed because if a monk cannot stand
anymore due to old age or illness the body is to be discarded by fasting till death (called as Salekhana).
For eating or drinking he does not use any pots or pans. He eats the prescribed vegetarian food without
any preference.

The native Jain communities of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu are all Digambaras. Digambara also has different communities under it such as Saitwal ,Lad,
Khandelwal ,Bagherwal, Aggarwal The holiest Digambara site is Sravana Belgola, where there is the fifty-
seven foot high image of Bahubali,( also known as Gommateshvara was the youngest of the one
hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabha and king of Podanpur)standing in meditation in the
kayotsarga posture, arms away from the side, and with creepers growing round his arms and legs and
ant hills covering his lower legs to symbolize the length of time he has been meditating. The Digambaras
believe he is the first person in the world to achieve liberation. The Digambaras do not generally touch
the image in a temple and a priest called upadhye carries out pujas and the worship is simple with
flowers and jewellery rarely being used. Therefore Digambaras follow a very pious, disciplined life away
from the pleasures of worldly, material life.

The present Digambara-Jainas are divided into a larger number of sects. The two most important
Digambara-sects of today are the Visvapanthis or Visapanthis (Bispanthis), as they, are mostly called
today, and the Terapanthis.

Visapanthis recognize Bhattarakas as spiritual leaders, install images of Ksetrapalas, of gods like Bhairva,
etc. in their temples, cover the idols with Saffron and embellish them with flowers; offer them sweets,
worship them with gifts in the night and wave lights in front of them. Terapanthis do not accept any
Bhattarakas, do not install images of Ksetrapalas, do not offer flowers or sweets to the idols, do not
apply saffron to them, do not worship them in the night with offerings and lights, but restrict themselves
to reciting Aratrika-patha.

Visapanthis worship in sitting position and Terapanthis in standing position; Terapanthis sit only when
they count the pearls of their rosaries while gently uttering the mantras. It can be seen from, all this that
Terapanthis are a sect of reformists; they are against a number of rites which do not belong to Jainism
according to their view. They have nothing to do with Terapanthis of Swetambaras. Visapanthis are in
great numbers in Maharashtra and Gujarat and Terapanthis outnumber in Rajaputana, in Uttar Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh.

Other Digambara-sects of the present-day are: Teranapanthis or Samaiyapanthis; their community was
founded by Taranasvami. They are hostile to the idols, but worship the 14 books of their founder
(Granthas) by keeping them on the altar.