Jainism

Jainism

"Religion gives us hope in the world of despair"

Jainism -

• Jainism is an ancient creed which was the result of contribution of 24 personalities known as Tirthankaras.
• Adinath Rishabhdev is considered as the first tirthankara.
• Rishabhdev and Arishtnemi finds their mention in Vedic text Rigveda.
• It is believed that first 22 tirthankaras were mythological figures and the last two (i.e., 23rd and 24th tirthankaras) were historical.
• The cadre of Jain tirthankaras also include a female tirthankaras known as Mallinath.
• Rulers who performed Santhara/Sallekhana - 
• Chandragupta Maurya (Maurya Dynasty)
• Amoghvarsha (Rashtrakuta Dynasty)

Note - 

• In Buddhism, initially women were not allowed but later they were allowed.
• But Jainism was open to all from its very beginning.

23rd Tirthankara - Parsvanatha 

• He was born somewhere around 800 BC in Kashi.
• He was the son of Kashi king, Ashwasen.
• At the age of 30 years, he left his home and became a parivrajak (i.e., homeless wanderer).
• After wandering for many years, he achieved absolute knowledge on Parsvanatha Hills, Jharkhand (also known as Parasnatha Hills).
• He gave 4 vows (resolutions/pledges), i.e., Anuvrata which are as follows -
1. Satya (i.e., truth)
2. Ahimsa (i.e., non-violence)
3. Asteya (i.e., Don't steal)
4. Aparigraha (i.e., non-possession of wealth)
• He was very open to entry of anybody including women into the cadre of Jainism.

24th Tirthankaras - Vardhman Mahavir 

• Birth - 540 BC
• Place - Kundalgram in Vaishali
• Father - Siddharth
• Mother - Trishala (sister of Licchavi king Chetak)
• Varna - Kshatriya
• Clan - Jnantrika
• Kingdom - Jnantri
• Wife - Yasodha
• Daughter - Arnojya
• Death - 468 BC at Pavapuri, Bihar

After the death of his father and mother, Mahavir took permission from his elder brother Nandivardhan to renounce home.

He left home at the age of 30 years. He became ascetic and started to wander. He practice extreme penance and hardship.

At the age of 42 years, he attained Keval Jnana or Kaivalya (i.e., absolute knowledge) near River Rhijupalika under a Sal tree in Jhimbakgram.

His followers started to call him Jina which means the ultimate conqueror of the knowledge. The followers of jina came to be known as Jain.

To the already existing 4 pledges of the Jainism, Mahavir added one more pledge - Brahmacharya (i.e., observe countenance) which means leading a disciplined life (not abstaining from sexual activities).

Mahavir also emphasised on the three ratna (Ratnatraya), known as three jewels of the Jainism. They are -

1. Right Knowledge
2. Right Faith
3. Right Conduct

Meta-Physical thoughts of Jainism (Philosophy of Jainism)

Jain metaphysics is realistic and relativistic pluralism. It is called Anekantavada or the doctrine of manyness of reality. It refers to simultaneous acceptance of multiple, diverse, even contradictory viewpoints (on any single topic/matter).

Matter and spirit are regarded as separate and independent realities.

Syadavada - It is another Jain Philosophy which includes the method of examining different possibilities. It is known as the 'Theory of relative knowledge'. According to it, reality has infinite aspect. To know all of them is to become omniscient (through Keval Janana).

Jainism view on universe -

• They also believed that the universe is created because of the laws of the nature (which is the universal law).

Jainism view on god -

• Generally, they did not discussed about the god but they made a statement that if at all any god like entity is existing then it must be below Tirthankaras.

Jainism view on Vedas -

• They also rejected the authority of Vedas and repudiated the divine theory of the Vedas.

Jainism view on rebirth -

• They believed in rebirth.

Jainism view on soul -

• They not only believe in soul but also classified it into 2 types -
• Anonimate soul (present in living things)
• Inonimate soul (present in non-living things)

Jainism view on Caste system -

• Jainism did not condemn the prevalent Varna System but attempted to mitigate the evils from it.

Jainism is known for its extreme practices which are as follows -

1. Observing Santhara or Sallekhana. 
2. They also observed nakedness and did not used to wear any cloth.
3. They practiced extreme version of non-violence whereby they not only forbade killing of animals but also insects and even germs.

Note - The main difference between Buddhism and Jainism is that Jainism follows the Extreme path whereas Buddhism follows the Middle path or Optimum path.

Jain Councils

First Jain Council -

• It was held in 299 BC at Patliputra.
• It was patronised by Maurya ruler, Bindusara and presided by Jain monk, Sthulbhadra.
• The major development of this council was the division of Jainism into 2 formal sects -
1. Digambar (i.e., Sky Clad) - They were orthodox followers of Jainism and they remained naked all the time.
2. Shwetambar (i.e., White Clad) - They were liberal followers of Jainism and started wearing white clothes.
• The religious texts of Jainism, Purvas (14 Purvas) were also written in this assembly.

Reason for the division of Jainism - Bhadrabahu went to South India when there was a draught in North India. When Bhadrabahu along with his disciple returned, they saw the Jains who were living in North started to wear white clothes.

Second Jain Council -

• It was held in 512 AD at Vallabhi in Gujarat.
• It was patronised by Chalukya rulers of Gujarat and presided by Jain monk Devardhi Kshema Shramana.
• The religious literatures of Jainism were written down in this assembly.
1. Agamas
2. Angas
3. Upanga
4. Parakirnas
5. Cheddasutra
6. Mulasutra
7. Bhagwatisutra

Previous Year Question (UPSC Pre 2022) 

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jain texts?

Ans - Only 2 and 4

Other important sects of Jainism - 

1. Bispanti
2. Tarapanthi
3. Therapanthi
4. Mulapanthi
5. Sthanakvasi - They wear white masks on face.

Similarities between Nirvana, Moksha and Kaivalya

Nirvana - 

• Type - It is a type of salvation or liberation.
• Objective - To end the cycle of death and rebirth.
• Method - It can be attained through rigorous (deep) meditation.

Moksha - 

• Type - It is a type of salvation or liberation.
• Objective - To end the cycle of death and rebirth.
• Method - It can be attained through rigorous mediation.

Kaivalya -  

• Type - It is a type of salvation or liberation.
• Objective - To end the cycle of death and rebirth.
• Method - It can be attained through rigorous meditaion.

Differences between Nirvana, Moksha and Kaivalya

Nirvana - 

• Religion associated - Buddhism
• Meaning - Extinguish the flame of desire.
• Nirvana happened once in lifetime and person survives after achieving Nirvana.

Moksha - 

• Meaning - Liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth (i.e., free from world).
• Moksha happens at the time of death only.
• Moksha employs the concept of fusion of Atma (or athma) with param athma (ultimate god).

Kaivalya - 

• Meaning - Absolute knowledge
• Kaivalya happens once and the person survives after achieving Kaivalya.

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Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

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