Professional Documents
Culture Documents
7 Dec
7 Dec
Understanding
Jainism &
Buddhism
Factors behind
Rise of New Jainism
Religion
Important Popular
Foundation & Vardhaman Major Schools
Teachings in Practices Jain Councils
Tirthankaras Mahavira Under Jainism
Jainism Under Jainism
FACTORS BEHIND RISE OF BUDDHISM
Emergence of
New Religious
Order
▪ Inability of Vaisyas to enhance their social status in spite of improved economic status.
FOUNDATION OF JAINISM
▪ Jainism was founded by Rishabhanath.
▪ There were 24 tirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus), all
Kshatriyas.
▪ First was Rishabhanath whose reference is also found in
Rigveda. Only the last two Tirthankaras are historical
personalities.
▪ The 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath was the son of King
Ashvasena of Banaras.
▪ His main teachings were Non-injury, Non-lying, Non-stealing,
Non-possession.
▪ The 24th and the most important Tirthankara was Vardhman
Mahavira.
Rishabhanatha/Adinath Bull Vimala Boar
Ajith Elephant Ananta Hawk/Bear
Shambhava Horse Dharma Thunderbolt
Abhinandana Ape Shanti Antelope/Deer
Sumati Heron Kunthu Goat
Padmaprabha Lotus Ara Nandyavarta/Fish
Suparshva Swastika Malli Water Jug
Chandraprabha Moon Suvrata/Munisuvrata Tortoise
Suvidi/Pushpadanta Dolphin/Sea Dragon Nami/Nimin Blue Lotus
Shitala Shrivatsa Nemi/Arishtanemi Conch Shell
Shreyamsha Rhinoceros Parshvanath Snake
Vasupujya Buffalo Vardhamana Mahavira Lion
IMPORTANT ASPECTS RELATED TO MAHAVIRA
ASCETIC LIFE
▪ At thirty he became an ascetic and wandered for 12 years.
▪ In 13th year of his penance, he attained highest spiritual knowledge
called Kevala Jnana. Thereafter, he was called Mahavira and Jina.
▪ His followers were called Jains and his religion Jainism.
▪ He preached his doctrines for 30 years and died at 72 at Pava near
Rajagriha.
Fundamental Teaching
▪ Mahavira taught the Jains the right path or
Dharma and stressed on renunciation of the
world, strict asceticism and moral cultivation.
▪ The Jains are morally bound by their religion to
live in such a way that would not harm any
being.
Triratnas + Anuvrata
IMPORTANT TEACHINGS IN JAINISM
Triratnas
TRIRATNAS
▪ Triratnas or the threefold path of life formed the core principle of Jain philosophy. These
were:
✓ right belief (samyakdarshana)
✓ right knowledge (samyakjnana)
✓ right conduct (samyakcharita),
▪ These triratnas were necessary to get rid of bad karma and achieve salvation.
IMPORTANT TEACHINGS IN JAINISM
ANUVRATA
▪ Additionally, jains had to maintain five great vows (Anuvrat)or five constraints in
their life:
▪ Ahimsa (non-violence);
▪ Satya (truthfulness);
▪ Asteya (not stealing);
▪ Aparigraha (non-acquisition) and
▪ Brahmacharya (chaste living).
Aparigraha
Ahimsa (non- Satya Asteya (not Brahmacharya
(non-
violence); (truthfulness); stealing); (chaste living).
acquisition) and
EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS UNDER JAINISM
Symbol Meaning
Swastika Signifies peace & well-being of humans
Nandyavartya It’s a large swastika with 9 end points.
Shrivasta A mark which manifested on jain’s chest and signifies his pure soul.
A shallow dish used as a lamp which shows the increase in the wealth, due
Vardhamanaka
and merit.
Kalasha A pot filled with pure water signifying water.
EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS UNDER JAINISM
Symbol Meaning
Swastika It is a symbol of auspiciousness and well-being in Jainism.
Nandyavartya It’s a large swastika with 9 end points.
Bhadrasana A throne which is said to be sanctified by the jaina’s feet. It represents the spiritual pursuit.
Shrivasta A mark which manifested on jain’s chest and signifies his pure soul.
Sub Traditions
Under Jainism
Digambhara Svetambara
DIGAMBARAS
SANTHARA (Sallekhana)
▪ Religious practice of gradually reducing food and liquid intake
▪ Not considered suicide by Jain scholars
▪ Different from suicide as it lacks passion, poisons, or weapons
▪ Performed by Jain ascetics and householders
▪ Rajasthan Court Ruling 2015: PRATIKRAMAN
▪ 2015: Rajasthan High Court banned Sallekhana, considering it suicide
▪ Same year: Ban on Sallekhana lifted by the Supreme Court
POPULAR PRACTICES UNDER JANISM
PRATIKRAMAN
▪ It is a process during which Jains repent for their sins during
their daily life, and remind themselves not to repeat them.
The five types of Pratikaman include Devasi, Rayi, Pakhi,
Chaumasi and Samvatsari.
▪ Mahavira organised Sangha – monastic order of monks & nuns – to spread his
teachings. He admitted both men and women in Sangha.
▪ Other people joined as lay followers or laity who accepted the basic premises of Jainism
but continued as householders.
▪ It spread rapidly in Western India and Karnataka.
▪ Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and royal dynasties of south India such as
Gangas, Kadambas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas patronized Jainism.
JAIN COUNCILS
Objective
▪ Jain councils were convened to address doctrinal issues, establish consensus, and
maintain unity within the Jain community.
Council Venue Time Convened by Development
1st Council Patliputra 3rd Century BCE Sthulbhadra Compilation of Jain
Scriptures –
Dwadshangi (12
Angas & 12 Upanga)
2nd Council Vallabhi 512 AD (around) Devardhigani Revised and
recompiled scriptures
(Jain Agamas)
3rd Council Mathura 6th Century AD Skandagupta Final recitation and
preservation of Jain
Agamas
4th Council Vallabhi 12th Century AD Acharya Hemchandra Addressed disputes
within Jain sects and
subsects
MCQ
Q. With reference to ancient Jainism, Which one of the following statements is
correct?
a) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthulubahu
b) The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called
Shvetambars after the Council held at Pataliputra
c) Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century
BC.
d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhists
Answer: C
MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance
2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
MCQ
Q. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
a) Universal Law
b) Universal Truth
c) Universal Faith
d) Universal Soul
Answer: A
Q. In context of Socio-Religious History of India, which of the following pairs do
not seem to be correctly matched?
Religious Order Founder