Jainism - Lecture notes 4 PDF

Preview

Summary

ContentsJAINISM .................................................................................................................................... 1Life of Vardhamana Mahavir ........................................................................................ 2 Main teachings of Jainism .........

Description

Contents JAINISM .................................................................................................................................... 1 Life of Vardhamana Mahavir ........................................................................................ 2 Main teachings of Jainism ............................................................................................ 4 Development of Jainism................................................................................................. 5 Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture .............................................................. 6 Literature ............................................................................................................................ 7 Architecture........................................................................................................................ 8

JAINISM • The Sanskrit term "Ji" means "to conquer," which is where the word Jain and Jainism come from. • As a result, Jainism is known as the "Conqueror Religion" (Jinas). •Vardhana, also known as Mahavira, is often considered as India's founder father of Jainism. • However, the instructors of the genuine Jaina faith are known as Tirthankas, and there are a total of 24 Tirthankaras. • The first twenty-two Tirthankaras are practically unknown to history — the first Tirthankara, Rishaba, is regarded as the founder of Jainism, while some believe the twenty-third Tirthankara, Parshvanath, is the true founder of Jainism. • We couldn't find much information on the first 22 Tirthankaras, who were known for their legendary personalities. We do, however, have extensive documents on the last two Tirthankaras, Parshvanath and Mahavira. • Parsvanath, who lived 250 years before Mahavir, son of king Asvasen of Banaras, gave up the throne for a spiritual life, eventually acquiring the Kaivalya Gyana, or profound knowledge. He was a Jainsim preacher for almost 70 years before dying at the age of 100. Mahavir's parents were likewise devout followers of this faith. In his youth, he was heavily affected by Jainism.

Life of Vardhamana Mahavir • Though the history of Jainism is less interesting than that of Buddhism, it has survived in the land of its birth, where it still has some two million adherents, mostly well-to-do merchants. • Vardhamana Mahavir was born in about 599 BC in Kundagrama near Vaishali in modern Bihar, to a wealthy Kshatriya family. • His father, Siddhartha, was the Jnatrika clan's chief. • Trishla, his mother, was the sister of the Licchavi leader and ruler of Vaishali Chetaka, whose daughter married Bimbisara, the monarch of Magadha. • As a result, Mahavir was linked to Magadha's illustrious royal dynasty. • Despite the fact that he was educated as a prince and married to a princess named Jashoda, with whom he had a daughter, his true passion was the search for salvation. • At initially, he followed the "Nirgranthas" ascetic practises advocated by the 23rd Thirthankara Parswanath (free from bonds). • When his parents died when he was 30, he fled his house and became an ascetic. • For twelve years, he journeyed from place to place in search of knowledge. • He did hard penance and self-mortification, begging, mediating, and so on, until he was reduced to a skeleton. • People thought he was insane and avoided him, but he stuck to his purpose without losing patience. • During one of his visits to Nalanda, he met an ascetic named Gosala Makkhaliputra, who was so captivated by him that he

joined him – but after six years, due to certain disagreements, Gosala broke away and founded the Ajivikas, a new religious order. • Vardhamana lived a life of self-mortification, extreme austerities, and intense meditation for 13 years. At the age of 42, he attained the Kaivalya Gyana, the ultimate wisdom, and was given the name Mahavira, which means "Great Hero." • He quickly rose to prominence, earning the title of conqueror (jina), and for the next 30 years of his life, he wandered from place to place, preaching the new faith known as Jainism. • A significant number of individuals, including many royals, quickly adopted the new faith. • During his lifetime, Jainism spread over Magadha, Midhila, Anga, and Kosala. • He paid frequent visits to the kings Bimbisara and Ajatasatru, who regarded him with great reverence. • He died in Pava near Rajagriha, the Magadhan capital, in 527 BC, at the age of 72. • He was Gautam Buddha's contemporary and lived many years after him. • During this time, his following had grown to almost 14000 people. • He founded a religious order that was open to everyone, whether male or female. • He adopted Parsvanath's teachings as the foundation of his faith. • He divided the community into two groups: monks and landowners.

Main teachings of Jainism According to the Jaina literature the main teachings of Jainism are follows: 1) No belief in the existence of God: Mahavira never believed the existence of any God and he did not believe that God created this world or excercises any control over it. According to him God is only the biggest, noblest and perfect manifestation of all the powers latent in a man. It is a man who makes his destiny. 2) Theory of Karma and transmigration of soul: According to him Karma decides the fate of a man i.e. according to good and bad deeds, a man suffers or prospers. It means the good or bad works practiced by a man in his past life is responsible for the consequences faced by a man. Therefore, the followers of Jainism try to do good works for all living beings so that their next birth may be a forward march toward salvation. 3) No faith in the Vedas and the supremacy of the Brahmana: Mahavira had no faith in the vedas also rejected the authority or supremacy of the Brahmins. He recommended a very high moral code and ascetic way of life including self mortification. According to him man‟s ultimate goal should be attainment of Nirvana. He opened door for salvation for everybody without any discrimination. 4) Ahimsa: the vital or most emphasised doctrine of Jainism is considered as the Ahimsa or non-injury to anyone. The followers of Jainism are taught that all objects, animate or inanimate, possess life or endowed with various degrees of consciousness. They feel pain if any injury or harm is caused on them. Love, kindness and compassion for all living creatures of the world are the prime considerations. They even take care not to injure plants and trees. Jainism is strictly against the idea of animal sacrifice in Yajnas. 5) Hard Penance and Self Sacrifice: The Jainas believe in hard penance and all kinds of self injuries to their bodies. They consider starvation death a big virtue. 6) No faith in Yajna, sacrifice and ritualism: Jainism completely rejected the Vedic rituals and the supremacy and oppression of the Brahmans. As a staunch believer of Ahimsa,

Jainism vehemently criticized sacrifices, yajnas and rituals widely prevalent in the Vedic age. 7) No faith against Casteism: Jainism tried to abolish all kinds of caste barriers by establishing the principles of equality, classless society, and recognition to human rights. Indeed, the liberal doctrine of Jainism acted as a substantial relief for the society who were disgusted with the social evils like inequality, untouchability and denial of human rights which were the products of the caste system. 8) Attainment of Salvation: The chief aim of the followers of Jainism is to attain Moksha or salvation. They firmly believe that salvation can be achieved if three jewels, i.e. the right faith, right knowledge and right conduct are strictly followed. Development of Jainism • Mahavir was successful in founding the Jain religion; his strict asceticism and straightforward ideas drew a large following. • He had eleven Ganadharas, or "Heads of Schools," who were his closest disciples or apostles. Only one of them, Arya Sudharman, survived Mahavir's death and went on to become the head of the Jain church. Jambu was his successor. Theras was the name given to these heads. After three generations, the Jain church was divided into two sects, which were ruled by two Theras, Sambhutavijaya and Bhadrabahu. (1)The Diganbaras, or Mahavira's orthodox disciples, who chose self-torture, nudity, and other orthodox practises under Sambhitavijaya. (2)Svetambaras, or Badrabahu's followers who wear in white. Who was the author of Kalpasutra, the fundamental book on the Jain Church's doctrines and rules?

• After Mahavira's death, two Jain councils were held, the first in 300 BC at Pataliputra, which was ruled by Jaina leader Sambhutavijaya. • On 512 AD, the second council met at Vallabhi.

• As time went on, additional Digambaras and Swetambaras.

divides occurred

between

• Whatever the case may be, a significant change has occurred throughout the country. • Numerous royal patronages, for example: a. Udayn – Successor of Ajatasatru developed to Jain b. Nandas – were probably Jain c. Chandragupta Maurya – contemporary of Bhadrabahu, he joined with Badrabahu etc. • During the Muslim period itself Jainism continued to flourish – also received patronage from Mughal emperors like Akbar. • But later a decline occured. • Presently population of Jains in India is nearly 13 lakhs distributed in all over the country like Rajputana, Gujarat, some district of south and central India. • Now they are playing more attention to reform of society through spread of education, revival of their faith, construction and repair of Jaina temples, publication of ancient literature etc. Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture We can classify the contribution of Jainism in four different fields. They were: 1) Political field 2) Social field 3) Religious field 4) Cultural field • Political arena: Jainism's Ahimsa served to promote peace and inspire people - Kshatriya recognised the importance of Ahimsa and the futility of war. • In the social sphere, Jainism played a vital influence. People were drawn to the principles of brotherhood, social equality, and recognition of human rights, and society became class-free. • In the religious field, worthless offerings, rites, and yajnas were abolished. It indirectly aided Hinduism in overcoming many of its flaws. It also assisted people in avoiding needless religious expenditures. As a result, religion became very simple. Many

charity organisations arose, as did a large number of Jainist adherents dedicated to a public cause. • Cultural field: Jainism's biggest contribution to society was in the sphere of culture, particularly literature and architecture. Literature • • Jains had a significant role in the development of India's languages. Sanskrit and Pali were the languages used by Brahmins and Buddhists to write sacred texts and preach. Jains, on the other hand, used the prevalent spoken languages of the time in various parts of the country for religious propagation and the preservation of sacred information. Their religious literature was written in Prakrit, a language that the Jainists refined and shaped into a literary form. Even Mahavir spoke in a hybrid dialect known as Ardha-Magadhi so that people could understand him. • His teachings, which were divided into 12 books known as Srutangas, were likewise written in this language.

•

• As a result of the gradual development of a rich literature, vernacular languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi emerged. •

• Jain influence can also be found in Kanaruse's early literature. •

•

• Some of the Jains' scriptures have been written in Sanskrit.

• There were numerous books written by Jain preachers highlighting the religion's doctrine.

•

•

• In addition to its religious value, it has historical significance. It aided historians in reconstructing the history of ancient India..

Architecture The followers of Jainism had a keen interest in erecting numerous temples across the country, particularly during the country's golden age in the 11th and 12th centuries. During this time, they built Buddhist stupas in honour of the saints, complete with beautiful gateways, stone umbrellas, intricately carved pillars, and numerous sculptures. Jain Statues have been discovered in Mathura, Bundhelkhand, and Central India. The massive Bahubalin statues known as homateswara in Sravana Belagola and Karkal in Mysore are among India's wonders. The former, perched at the summit of a hill and standing 70 feet tall, was erected in 984 by Chamundaraya, the Ganga King Rachamalla's minister. There were many more, such as the Jain caves in Andhra Pradesh's Udaigiri hills and Ellora. Orissa's Hathingumpa caverns. The Jain tower in Chittor, Rajasthan, and the Jain temple on Mount Abu, Rajasthan, are two notable examples of Jains architecture. In short, Jainism was unquestionably older than Buddhism, and while never becoming a major religion in India or spreading outside the country, it has always remained a prominent sect in the country. In the first century BC, Ujjain was the centre of Jainism, and in the fourth century BC, a party of Jaina monks led by Bhadrabahu travelled to the Deccan to preach Jainism. During the reign of the Kushan Kings, Sravanabelagola in Karnataka became the centre of Jainism. But, unlike Buddhism, it did not expand widely....