Ancient India- Jainism

Causes of 1. Supremacy of brahmans created unrest in the society and Kshatriyas reacted against the brahmanical
origin
domination.(NCERT)
2. Introduction of new agricultural economy in Eastern India(NCERT)
3. Desire of Vaishyas to improve their social position with the increase in their economic position due to
the growth of trade.(NCERT)'Vaishyas' provided support to both Jainism and Buddhism
4. Vedic philosophy and religion had lost its importance.
Define Jain

1. Jain is a follower of Jina(victor or conqueror).

2. Jains are followers of certain ascetics who obtained
omniscience(knowing everything)
3. and who preached a doctrine, which promises a super
mundane bliss of eternal salvation.

Jainism or Buddhism which one is older

Jainism originated centuries before Buddhism but revived by

Mahavira(24th Tirthankar)

Define Tirthankar in Jainism

1. Tirthankar is a founder of a Tirtha.

2. He achieves the enlightenment and then shows the path to
others
3. Tirthankar achieves moksha or liberation at the end of his
life.
4. There are 24 Tirthankars in Jainism
5. 1st- Rishabhdev, 23rd- Parshvanath and 24thMahavira(Vardhmana)

5 monolithic statues of Bahubali also known as

Gomateshwara

all are in Karnataka. Highest is at Shravanabelagolain in Hasan

District

Only Jain Tirthankar always represented with the

hood of a naga shading his head

Parshvanath

Two yaksha shown flanking Parshvanath

1. Yaksha Dharanendra
2. Yakshi Padmavati

Mahapurana

Acharaya Jinasena under Rashtrakutas ruler Amoghvarsha,

completed by his pupil Gunabhadra

Concepts related to Jainism

Kevalya Gyan or
Universal Truth

is absolute knowledge, enlightenment and omniscience. Highest form of knowledge that soul
can attain.

5 Mahavratas of
Jainism

Non-violence(Ahimsa), Truth(Satya), Non-stealing(Asteya), Chastity(Brahmacharya), Nonpossession/Non-attachment(Aparigraha)

Jain Sects

1. Digambar(Strict and naked, went to south during famine) also known as Bhadrabahu
2. Shwetambar(Liberak and wore white clothes) during the reign of Mauryan Empire

Jain Sangeeti

Conferences of Jainism.
1st held at 300BC Patliputra, Sthulbhadra(Chairman), Chandragupta Mauraya(Patron)Compilation of 12 Angas
2nd held at 512AD Vallabhi.

Syadvada

The theory of may be or perhaps. According to Syadvada seven modes of

prediction(Saptabhangi) are possible. Syadvada also known as Anekantvada(theory of plurality
or multi-sidedness)

Triratna

1. Samyak Shradha or Viswas, 2. Samyak jnan, 3. Samyak karma

Jain Arcitecture

1. Caves: Hathigumpha, Baghagumpha etc., Udaigiri and Khandagiri(orissa)

2. Dilwara temples: Vimalavashi , tejapala temples- Mount Abu; Rajagriha temple - Bihar

3. Statues of Gometeshwar/ Bahubali - Sravanbelgola (Karnataka)

Other Observation
The Jain religion professes peace and non-violence and this was the major reason that mercantile community was
attracted
towards this religion.
Chandragupta Maurya had abdicated his throne towards the end of his life and became an ascetic under the Jain
saint
Bhadrabahu. He migrated to Karnataka and spent his ending days at sallekhana at Shravanabelagola. Bhadrabahu
Cave is the
place where he is said to have died by fasting.
Bhadrabahu propagated Jainism in South India.
The metaphysical thoughts of Jainism are linked to Samkhya Philosophy.
There are five Jain caves at Ellora, which belong to the ninth and tenth centuries and they all belong to the
Digambara sect.
Cave 32 at Ellora is called Indra Sabha and it is a Jain Cave.
Tiger cave at Udayagiri, and Sittannavasala Cave at Padukottai are Jain caves only.
Death through gradual starvation at the end of one's natural life is called 'Santhara'. Among Jains it is a means
to attain
salvation and not suicide. The Jains profess a vast difference between suicide and Santhara. Suicide is committed
in a fit of
anger or depression while the decision to observe Santhara is taken with a calm mind.
Neminath or Arishtnemi was a Jain Tirthankar who was considered to be a kinsman of Lord Krishna.
11 close disciples of Mahavira are called Ganadhara. The Jain Samgha was made up of 11 Ganadharas.
Virasena, Mahaviracharya, Hemachandra and Mahendra Suri were well known Jain Mathematicians.
4 Sankalpas viz. Satya, Ahimsa, Astey and Aparigraha were adopted and preached by Parshvanth.
It took 12 year of Mahavir to attain Kevalya Gyan after a rigorous Tapascharya.
Vardhaman rejected Vedic gods and Vedic Religion.
Tapascharya means as per jain Kaya Klesh the rigorous mortification, and it leads to salvation.