Jainism

Jainism

In its early phase, Jainism was known as the Nirgrantha tradition (meaning “free from all bonds or attachments”).

Tirthankars

• Yajur Veda mentioned three tirthankaras: Rishabh, Ajitnatha and Aristanemi.

• Rishabhdeva was the founder of this sect. He is considered the first tirthankara.

• There were 24 tirthankara’s. Vardhman Mahavira was 24th Tirthankara.

• Vardhaman Mahavira led this sect which blossomed into a new religion.

• The teachings of the Tirthankaras before Mahavir are known as Purva. There was total 14 Purvas (Drishtivad) which were memorized over the ages but lost later.

Life of Mahavira:

• He was born in Vaishali around 540 BC. He was a member of the ruling family of Gana-Sangha. His father’s name was Siddhartha. His mother Trishala was Lichhavi Princess.

• He left his home at the age of 30 and wandered for 12 years in search of true knowledge.

• In 13th year, he attained Nirvana or enlightenment.

• He died around 468 BC near Rajgriha. He fasted unto death according to Jain literature.

• Jainism was confined to the trading and money lending community. Jainism’s insistence on non-violence doesn’t attract people from occupations like agriculture.

• After the death of Mahavira, two different sects emerged in Jain religion called as Digambara and Shvetambara.

• Mahavira was known as Jina (conqueror) of the soul.

Reasons for the decline of Jainism in India:

• Absence of royal patronage.

• Split amongst Jains as Digambars and Swetambars.

• Lack of missionary zeal.

• Factionalism.

• The severity of practices.

• Spread of Buddhism as a rival faith.

Jain Councils:

• Sthulbhadra, founder of Shvetambars, held the First Great Council at Patliputra around 300 BC, which compiled the Jaina canon. It consisted of 12 Angas like Acaranga Sutra (oldest), Sutrakrtanga (code of conduct), Sthananga, Samavayanga (essence of Jaininsm, astronomy, mathematics), Vyakhyaprajnapti or Bhagavati sutra, Jnatrdharmakathah, Upasakadasah, Antakrddaasah, Anuttaraupapatikadasah, Prasnavyakaranani (explains Sins), Vipakasruta (stories and illustrations) and Drstivada (included 14 Purvas, disappeared later).

•
Jainism was split into two factions at this council:Svetambara and Digambara.

• The second Jain Council was held simultaneously in Valabhi (Gujarat) and Mathura in 512 AD. It was presided over by Devaradhi Kshama Sramana, a Shvetambar scholar, in Valabhi. This council’s major goal was to continue the collection of sacred scriptures. It added 12 Upangas. Secular Jaina literature like ‘Acharrangasutra’, ‘Sutrakritanga’, and ‘Kalpasutra’ were also written.

Jain Sects:

• Jains are primarily divided into two major sects: the Digambara (meaning "sky-clad") and the Svetambara (meaning "white-clad"). Each sect has its own subgroups. While both sects agree on the core teachings of Jainism, they differ in specific details, especially regarding the life of Mahavira.

• Digambara:

• Monks of this sect believe in complete nudity. Male monks do not wear clothes while female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees.

• They travelled to the south to avoid hunger.

• Follow all five vows (Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya).

•
Believed women cannot achieve liberation.

• Bhadrabahu was an exponent of this sect.

• Major Sub-Sects:

• Mula Sangh

• Bisapantha

• Terapantha

• Taranpantha or Samaiyapantha

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• Minor Sub-Sets:

• Gumanapantha

• Totapantha

• Svetambara:

• Monks wear white clothes.

• Follow only 4 vows (except brahmacharya).

• Believe that women can achieve liberation.

• Sthulabhadra was an exponent of this sect.

• They stayed in Magadha under the leadership of Sthulbhadra (White-clad).

• Major Sub-Sects

• Murtipujaka

• Sthanakvasi

• Terapanthi

Tenets of Jainism:

• Central tenet is non-violence.

• They did not deny existence of God but kept it below Jin (The Conquerer), according to Mahavira.

• Salvation cannot be attained by worshipping God.

• One can escape miseries only by performing austerities.

• Mahavira rejected Vedic authority.

• They did not reject the caste system.

• The world has no beginning or end. It is maintained by

Universal Natural Law.

• Each and every particle has a soul.

• They advocated dualism: The world is made of soul and matter, which are eternal.

• They believe in the theory of Karma and transmigration of the soul.

• The coming together of soul and matter brings Karma.

• To free oneself from Karma, one has to go through severe austerities or penance.

Triratnas:

• Three principles are need to be followed in Jainism:

• Right faith (samyag-darshana).

• Right knowledge (samyag-jnana).

• Right conduct (samyag-mahavrata).

Five Great Vows:

• The monks have to undertake five great vows (Panch- mahavrata):

• Not to kill (Ahimsa)

• Not to steal (Asteya)

• Not to lie (Satya)

• Celibacy (Brahmacharya)

• Not to possess property (Aparigraha)

Jaina Literature:

• Canonical or religious books, known as Jain Agamas or Agam, and non-canonical literary works can be broadly separated into two categories known as Niryuktis and Samhitas.

• Agamas are sacred books having Jain tirthankaras’ teachings, compiled by the Gandharas, Mahavira’s direct disciples.

• The languages used were: Prakrit and Ardha Magadhi were in the early period. Later During the Sangam Age in south India, they wrote in Tamil. In addition to Tamil, they wrote in Sanskrit, Shauraseni, Gujarati, and Marathi.

• 12 Angas in total having 46 texts. They are canonical and important for Svetambars.

• 2 Upanga Agams: Upanga Agamas are explanations to Angas.

• 6 Chedasutras: These are texts related to behavior of Monks and Nuns.

• 4 Mulasutras: These are texts which provide a base in the earlier stages of the monkhood.

• 10 Prakirnaka sutras: These are texts on Independent or miscellaneous subjects.

• 2 Culikasutras: These are texts which further enhance or decorate the meaning of Angas.

• The Karmaprabhrita (debate on Karma) or Shatkhandagama and the Kashayaprabhrita were canonical and important for Digambaras.

• Other Digambar texts include Adi puraṇa, Ratnakaranda sravakacara, Pancastikayasara, Puruşarthasiddhyupaya, Satkhandagama, Sarvarthasiddhi, Siribhoovalaya, Niyamasara, Mahapurana (by Jinasena), Mulachara, Tiloya Panatti

• Other Important Jaina Texts:

• Samayasara (Digambara)

• Parishishtaparvan

• Pravachanasara (Digambara)

• Tattvartha Sutra

• Dravyasamgraha (Digambara)

• Uttaradhyayana (Shwetambara)

• Civaka Cintamaṇi

• Silppadikaram

• Valayapathi

• Yogasastra

• Siddha-Hema-Sabdanusasana

• Trishashthi-Shalaka-Purusha-Charitra

• Bhadrabahu Samhita

• Jnanarnava or the Yogapradipadhikara

• Pramana-mimansa