Jainism – A Detailed Overview

Origins and Early History

Jainism is one of the oldest religions of India that teaches the path of non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and self-discipline to attain spiritual liberation. The word “Jain“ comes from “Jina“, meaning victor or conqueror — one who has conquered worldly desires and emotions.

🔶 Tirthankaras in Jainism

A Tirthankara is a spiritual teacher who has achieved perfect knowledge (Kevalya) and helps others cross over the ocean of worldly suffering. According to Jain tradition, there are 24 Tirthankaras. They are not gods, but enlightened beings.

🔶 Origins and Founders

• Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that emerged as a reform movement against ritualistic Vedic practices. It emphasizes austerity, non-violence (Ahimsa), and self-discipline.
• The first Tirthankara and founder figure of Jainism was Rishabhdev (Adinath), mentioned in Rigveda and Bhagavata Purana.
• Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, lived around 250 years before Mahavira.

1st Tirthankara – Rishabhdev (Adinath)

• Considered the founder of Jainism in ancient times.
• Also known as Adinath, meaning the first lord.
• Symbol: Bull
• Mentioned in the Rigveda, showing the ancient roots of Jainism.

23rd Tirthankara – Parshvanath

• Born in Kashi (Varanasi) to King Ashvasena of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
• At the age of 30, he renounced worldly life to become a saint.
• He simplified the spiritual path with four restraints:

1. Ahimsa (non-violence)
2. Satya (truthfulness)
3. Asteya (non-stealing)
4. Aparigraha (non-possession)

• Symbol: Snake

24th Tirthankara – Mahavira (Vardhamana)

• The most well-known and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
• Born in 540 BCE in Kundagrama, near Vaishali (Bihar).
• His father Siddhartha was the chief of the Jnatrika clan, and his mother Trishala was the sister of Lichchhavi king Chetaka.
• Married Yashoda; had a daughter Priyadarshini (Anojja).
• At age 30, after the death of his parents, he renounced worldly life.
• Austerity:– Performed intense penance for 12 years, then attained Kevalajnana (omniscience) near Jrimbhika village.
• He was called:
• Jina – the conqueror of inner passions
• Nirgrantha – detached from worldly bonds
• Mahavira – the great hero
• Taught in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, the language of the masses.

• Childhood name: Vardhamana (also known as Veer or Veerajman).
• After his parents’ death, he renounced worldly life at the age of 30, with permission from his elder brother Nandivardhana.
• Performed 12 years of hard penance (tapasya) in forests.
• Attained Kevalajnana (complete knowledge) under a Sal tree near the Rijupalika River, close to Jrimbhikagrama.

🔔 Titles After Enlightenment:

• Jina (the conqueror)
• Arhat (the worthy one)
• Nirgrantha (free from all bonds)

🗣️ Language of Teachings:

• Mahavira gave his teachings in Prakrit language, specifically Ardhamagadhi, which was easy to understand for common people.

👥 Followers and Organization

• His followers were first called Nirgranthas.
• His first disciple was Jamali, his son-in-law (husband of Priyadarshini).
• The first Jain nun was Champa, daughter of King Dadhivahana.
• Mahavira organized his followers into 11 Ganadharas (chief disciples).
• After Mahavira’s death, only Arya Sudharman survived and became the first head teacher (Thera) of the Jain order.

Major Jain Tirthankaras and Their Symbols

Tirthankara	Position	Symbol	Additional Notes
Rishabhdev	1st	Bull	Also called Adinath, First Tirthankara, mentioned in Rigveda.
Ajitnath	2nd	Elephant	Known for strict discipline (compassion).
Sambhavnath	3rd	Horse	Born in Shravasti.
Suparshvanath	7th	Swastika	Swastika symbolizes auspiciousness.
Shantinath	16th	Deer	Preached peace and renunciation.
Naminath	21st	Blue Lotus	Born in Mithila.
Neminath (Arishtanemi)	22nd	Conch Shell	Cousin of Lord Krishna, mentioned in Rigveda.
Parshvanath	23rd	Snake	Promoted 4 vows before Mahavira. He revived Jain dharma
Mahavira	24th	Lion	Completed the Jain path with 5 great vows.

🔄 Division in Jainism: Shwetambara and Digambara

• Around 300 BCE, a 12-year famine hit Magadha.
• Jain leader Bhadrabahu moved south to Karnataka with his followers.
• Another leader Sthulabhadra stayed back in Magadha with others.
• After the famine, differences arose between the two groups:

Sect	Meaning	Dress	Main Region
Shwetambara	“White-clad”	Wear white clothes	Mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan
Digambara	“Sky-clad” (nude)	Do not wear clothes (monks)	Mainly in Karnataka and South India

🏛️ Important Jain Councils (Sangitis)

Council	Place	Time	Leader/Chairperson	Significance
First	Pataliputra	300 BCE	Sthulabhadra	● Compilation of teachings. ● No written canon; oral traditions continued
Second	Vallabhi (Gujarat)	6th century CE	Devardhigani Kshemashramana	● Final redaction of Jain texts. ● Compilation of scriptures into Agamas (Shwetambara canon)

💎 Three Jewels (Triratna) of Jainism

To attain salvation, a person must follow:

1. Right Faith (Samyak Darshana)
2. Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana)
3. Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra)

🔆 Five Great Vows (Mahavratas)

These are essential for monks and ideal for laypersons:

1. Ahimsa – Non-violence
2. Satya – Truthfulness
3. Asteya – Not stealing
4. Aparigraha – Non-possession
5. Brahmacharya – Celibacy (added by Mahavira)

📜

• Jainism rejects the concept of creator God.
• Emphasis is on individual soul (jiva) and karma.
• The ultimate goal is moksha (liberation) from the cycle of rebirth.

Beliefs in Jainism

• Jainism does not believe in a creator God.
• It believes in the existence of the soul (jiva).
• The soul is eternal and undergoes rebirth based on karma (actions).
• Liberation (moksha) is possible through self-discipline and purification.

🏛️ Jain Patrons: Famous Jain Followers and Contributions

• Chandragupta Maurya: – Accepted Jainism in later life; died in Shravanabelagola.
• King Kharavela (Kalinga), Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta), and Chandela kings were Jain patrons.
• Udayin and Vandaraja also supported Jainism.

Ruler	Dynasty/Region	Contribution
Udayin	Haryanka (Magadha)	Patron of early Jainism
Chandragupta Maurya	Maurya	Became Jain monk, migrated to Karnataka
Kharavela	Kalinga (Odisha)	Patronized Jain monks, mentioned in Hathigumpha
Amoghavarsha	Rashtrakuta	Supported Jain literature and philosophy
Chandela rulers	Bundelkhand	Built Jain temples in Khajuraho

🗿 Important Jain Monuments

• Bahubali (Gomateshwara) Statue at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) built in the 10th century by Chamundaraya, minister of Ganga dynasty.
• Jain temples at Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) built by Chandela rulers.
• Mathura was a major Jain center during the post-Maurya period, with Mathura art linked to Jainism.

📚 Jain Texts

• Kalpasutra:– Written by Bhadrabahu, it contains biographies of Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira.
• Jain literature is mainly in Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Apabhramsha.

Death of Mahavira (Nirvana)

• Mahavira attained nirvana (salvation) at the age of 72 years in 468 BCE.
• He died at Pawapuri near Rajgir in Bihar in the palace of Mallaraja Sristipal.
• A temple and pond named Jal Mandir mark the place of his death.

Disciples and Sectarian Developments

• Mahavira’s first disciple: Jamil (his son-in-law)
• First Jain nun: Champa, daughter of King Dadhivahana
• Divided his disciples into 11 Ganadharas (chief apostles).
• Only Arya Sudharma survived after Mahavira and became the first Thera or spiritual head.

Gomateshwara statue (Bahubali):

• Located at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
• Built by Chamundaraya (minister of Ganga dynasty) in the 10th century CE
• World’s tallest monolithic statue

Jain Temples of Khajuraho:

• Built by Chandela rulers
• Showcase the influence of Jainism on temple architecture

Mathura:

• Post-Mauryan period Jain art center
• Home to Mathura school of sculpture with Jain iconography

Kalpasutra by Bhadrabahu:

• Biographies of Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira
• Read during Paryushana festival

Agamas (Siddhantas):

• Sacred texts of Shvetambaras
• Digambaras do not recognize these as authentic

• Anekantavada: Reality is many-sided. Truth can be seen differently from different perspectives.
• Syadvada: Doctrine of “may be” — truth is conditional and relative.
• These concepts form the Saptabhangi (seven-fold prediction logic).

Syadvada / Saptabhangi:

• Theory of relative truth
• Reality is complex and perceived differently under different conditions (sevenfold predication)

Anekantavada:

• Doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints
• Truth is not one-sided; it varies based on perspective

Influence of Sankhya Philosophy:

• Adopted concepts like dualism (soul and matter) and non-theism

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