Jainism – Revision Capsule

Causes for the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

-complexities and ritualism

-expensive religious practices

-dominance of Brahmins

-rigid caste system

-resentment of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas

-efforts of holy men and intellectuals

Jainism

-24 Tirthankaras

-1^st tirthankara- Rishabhadeva/Adinatha

-23^rd Tirthankara- Parshwanath

-24^th – Mahavira

–Vishnu Purana and Bhagavat Purana mention Rishabha as incarnation of Narayana

-Two Tirthankaras find mention in Rig Veda-Rishabha and Arishtanemi

4 Main Teachings of Parshwanath-(Pancha Mahavratas-5 Vows of Jainism)

1.Ahimsa

2.Satya

3.Asteya (non-stealing)

4.Aparigraha(non-possession)

5^th one- Brahmacharya was added by Mahavira

Vardhamana Mahavira

– born 599 BC at Kundagrama near Vaishali Jnathrika Kshtriya under Vajji of Vaishali-ascetic at the age of 30-enlightenment 12 years later-becomes Jina i.e. conqueror of self – followers called Jains-died 468 BC at Pavapuri near Rajgriha.

-in early life-accompanied by Makkhali Gosala-who later founded Ajivika sect

–Kaivalya (supreme knowledge)- at the age of 42– under a Sal tree at Jambhikagrama on the bank of river Rijupalika

– 1^st sermon- Pava- 11 disciples-Gandharas

Teachings-

-no belief in God

-no faith in yajnas,sacrifices,rituals ,vedas and caste system

-faith in ahimsa

-believed in karma and transmigration of soul

-laid emphasis on equality

-belief in hard penance

3 Jewels/Triratna-

 1.Right Faith (samyak shradha),

2. Right Knowledge (samyak jnan)

3.Right Action (samyak karma)

Types of Knowledge-5 Types-

1.Mati jnana-perception through sense organs including mind

2.Shruta jnana– knowledge through scriptures

3.Avadhi jnana– clairvoyant perception

4.Manahparyaya jnana– telepathic knowledge

5.Keval jnana– temporal knowledge or omniscience

Three Guptis

1.Managupti: Control of the mind

2.Vacanagupti: Control of speech

3.Kayagupti: Control of body

Five Samitis

1.Irya Samiti: Carefulness while walking

2.Bhasha Samiti: Carefulness while communicating

3.Eshana Samiti: Carefulness while eating

4.Adana Nikshepana Samiti: Carefulness while handling their fly-whisks, water gourds, etc.

5.Pratishthapana Samiti: Carefulness while disposing of bodily waste matter

Syadvada ie Theory of May be /Perhaps–

all judgements are conditional.relative,limited- also called Anekantavada– theory of Plurality.

Spread-

-Kosala,Magadha,Mithila,and Champa during the lifetime of Mahavira

-patronised by Bimbisara and Chandragupta Maurya

–Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas patronized Jainism in South India-Rajpur Rulers

-Division in 2 sects- Digambaras and Svetambaras

Impact-

-Regard for all forms of life

-broke barriers of caste system

-reformatory influence on religion

-weakened martial spirit

Jain Literature-

-Svetambaras- Prakrit language- Ardhamagadhi Prakrit

– Classification- Angas, Upangas,Parikarnas,Chhedasutras,Mulasutras,Sutra-granthas

Purvas/Parvas-part of Angas and oldest text of Mahavira’s preachings.

Important Jain texts

Kalpasutra-in Sanskrit by Bhadrabahu

Bhadrabahu Charita

Parishishta Parvan by Hemchandra

Jain Architecture-

1.Caves –Hathigumpha,Baghagumpha etc,Udaigiri and Khandagiri(Odisa)- Kharvela

2.Dilwara Temples-Vimalavasahi Temple,Tejapala Temple-Mount Abu,Rajasthan

3.Templs- Girnar and Palitana(Gujarat)

4.Pavapuri temple,Rajagriha temple,Bihar

5. Statue of Gometeshwar/Bahubali– Shravanbelagola,Karnataka

Jain Councils

1-300BC- Patliputra–Sthulabhadra(Chairman)-Chandragupta Maurya(patron)- compilation of 12 Angas

2.512 AD-Vallabhi–Devardhi Kshmasramana (chairman)- Final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.