Jainism

Jainism was one of the important new religions that emerged in the 6th century BC. Jainism also known as Jaina dharma spreads the message of non-violence towards all living beings. According to Jain tradition, Vardhamana Mahavira is not the founder of Jainism. Jains believe that Jainism has 24 Tirthankaras. The word 'Tirthankaras' means a human being who aided in attaining freedom and clarification as an "Arihant" by demolishing their soul-constraining karmas and turn into a role-model and chief for those looking for holy guidance. Rishabha Deva is the first Tirthankara. However, there is no authentic information about the first 22 Tirthankaras. The twenty-third Tirthankara, Parshwanath, and the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara, Vardhamana Mahavira, were historical men. Parshwanath, who lived in the 8th century BC, formulated the principles of Jainism. He formulated the four basic principles of Jainism. They are as follows.

• Do not commit violence (Ahimsa)

• Do not steal the property of others (Aparigraha)

• Do not acquire wealth (Asteya)

• Do not lie (Satya)

Mahavira added the principle of 'Brahmacharya' to these and formed the 'Five Principles' of Jainism. Many consider Parshwanath, who formulated the basic principles of Jainism, to be the founder of Jainism. Jamali was one of Mahavira's main disciples. The first Jain council was held in Pataliputra in 310 BC. The second Jain council was held in Vallabhi in 453 AD. 

Vardhamana Mahavira (BC 540 - 468)

Vardhamana Mahavira is accepted as the true founder of Jainism. He was born in 540 BC in the village of Kuntala near Vaishali. Mahavira's father, Siddhartha, was the head of the Jantri Kshatriya clan and his mother, Trishla, was a princess of the Lichchhavi clan of Vaishali. Initially, Vardhamana Mahavira led the life of a householder. He married Yashoda. They had a daughter. Mahavira, who was not interested in pleasures of worldly life, he left home at the age of thirty and became a monk. He wandered around for 12 years. Vardhamana Mahavira, who practiced severe penance and meditation, attained the Kaivalya (supreme wisdom) under a sal tree on the banks of the Rijjupalika river in Jrimbhikagrama. After this, he was known as 'Mahavira' (great hero) and 'Jina' (subduer of emotions). Mahavira spent the rest of his life spreading his ideas and forming Jain groups. He visited many places like Kosala, Magadha, Mithila, and Champa. He met Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, the rulers of Magadha. Mahavira died in 468 BC at the age of 72 at a place called Pavapuri near Rajgriha.

Doctrines of Jainism

The five self control principles of Jainism include Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Asteya, Satya and Brahmacharya. The first four of these principles were added by Parshwanath and the fifth was added by Mahavira. The other important principles of Jainism are as follows.

• Vedic rituals are futile.

• God is an illusion. Therefore, there is no benefit in worshipping and performing rituals.

• Karma is the root cause of birth, death, sorrow and suffering. Nirvana (moksha) is liberation from birth and death and suffering. To attain moksha, karma must be pure.

• Karma can be purified by practicing the 'Triple Gems'. The Triple Gems of Jainism are the right vision, knowledge and conduct. In Sanskrit it is Samyak Darshana, Gyana and Charitra.

Spread of Jainism

Although it could not attract the masses like Buddhism, Jainism spread within and outside India. Jainism first spread in the regions of Kosala, Magadha, Videha and Angam. Later it spread to Malwa, Kalinga, Mathura and some parts of South India. The reasons for the growth of Jainism are as follows.

• Mahavira formed a 'Sangha' of his followers to spread the principles of Jainism. This group, which also included women, played an important role in spreading Jainism.

• Kings like Ajatashatru, Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela and Amoghavarsha gave generous encouragement to Jainism. Chandragupta Maurya is credited with establishing Jainism in South India. It is believed that he converted to Jainism and spent the last years of his life as a Jain ascetic in Karnataka.

• Another reason for the spread of Jainism in South India was the great famine that occurred in Magadha 200 years after the death of Mahavira. Jains who went to South India to escape from famine spread Jainism there.

• The simplicity of Jainism attracted the people. Jainism, which rejected sacrificial rituals and unnecessary rituals, emphasized moral principles. The common people, who could not afford to perform expensive rituals, welcomed Jainism.

• The Jains spread their ideas in the local languages ​​of Prakrit and Ardha Magadhi. This made Jainism popular among the common people.

• The dedicated work of Jain monks also helped in the growth of Jainism.

Digambaras and Svetambaras

Two centuries after the death of Mahavira, a major split occurred in Jainism. The cause of this split was a great famine in Magadha during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. This famine lasted for 12 years. To deal with the famine, many Jains went to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka under the leadership of Bhadrabahu. At the same time, many Jains stayed in Magadha under the leadership of Sthulabhadra. The Jains who went to Karnataka returned to Magadha after the famine was over. This led to differences of opinion between the two groups. The Jains who returned from Karnataka accused the Jains of Magadha are deviating from the original principles of Jainism. A Jain conference was convened at Pataliputra to resolve the differences of opinion and compile Jain doctrines. But the 'Southern Jains' boycotted it and refused to accept its decisions. With this, Jainism split into two sects. The followers of Bhadrabahu came to be called Digambaras and the Magadhas came to be called Svetambaras.

Decline of Jainism

Over time, Jainism began to decline. However, it did not disappear like Buddhism. Its presence continued in many parts of India. The reasons for the decline of Jainism can be summarized as follows.

• The division in Jainism affected its unity and cohesion. It weakened Jainism.

• The lack of good leadership led to Jainism's decline. After Mahavira, there were few leaders who could provide leadership and guidance to the Jains.

• Jainism did not receive the royal encouragement that Buddhism received. Later, it completely lost the support of the kings.

• The rituals of Jainism were extremely harsh. The strict austerities such as physical torture and fasting were difficult for the common people to follow.

• Jainism did not promote agriculture. Naturally, the religion failed to attract the poor farmers.

• There was no effort on the part of the Jains to overcome the unprecedented mass of Buddhism.

• Jainism quickly became intertwined with Hinduism. As Hinduism adopted many of the ideas of Jainism, the religion lost its identity.

• Buddhism gained popularity through strong missionary activities. The Jains did not have an organization or system for efficient missionary activities.

Jain Literature

Jain literature included both religious and secular works. They were written in Ardha Magadhi and Prakrit. Manuscripts of these works are preserved in Jain temples in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The holy book of the Jains is known as 'Agama siddhanta'. Their primary texts are called purvas. There are fourteen of them. The purvas are divided into 12 sections called 'agamas'. They are written in Prakrit. Digambaras and Svetambaras have their own literary works. These texts are written in Prakrit. Later, they also wrote in Sanskrit. They have contributed to the religious literature of regional languages ​​like Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. 'Jivaka Chintamani', one of the best works in Tamil, is a contribution of a Jain. Some Jain texts were also written in Apabhramsha, a bridge language between Sanskrit and Prakrit.

Influence of Jainism

Jainism has contributed to the history and culture of India. Jainism was the first to try to eliminate the evils of Vedic religion and the caste system. Jainism was able to deal a heavy blow to the sacrificial Vedic religion. Jainism gave great importance to social equality. Everyone was admitted to the Jain Sangha without distinction of caste or colour. Thus, Jainism was able to shake the foundation of Brahmin supremacy and ease the conflicts caused by the caste system. Brahminism was forced to reform itself. Jainism gave great importance to non-violence. It fought strongly against violence against humans and animals. The idea of ​​non-violence became an essential part of Indian culture.

Jainism also gave rise to the growth of commerce. The main occupation of the Jains was trade. They acted as intermediaries in the exchange of manufactured goods. Jains supported money transactions, which Brahmanism opposed. Jains also promoted commercial virtues such as honesty and thrift.

Jain Languages 

The early Jains rejected the Sanskrit language that was promoted by the Brahmins. Instead, they promoted regional languages. The Jains spread their ideas in the Prakrit language spoken by the common people. Their religious scriptures were written in the Ardha Magadha. Thus, the Jains made great contributions to the development of Prakrit language and literature. Many regional languages ​​like Shauraseni emerged from the Prakrit language. Shauraseni paved the way for the development of Marathi. The Jains also promoted the Kannada language. Jain literature includes epics, puranas, novels, plays, dictionaries, grammars, etc. Jainism has made unforgettable contributions in the fields of art, sculpture, and architecture. 

Jain Architecture

They carved many beautiful statues of Tirthankaras and monks in stone. Places like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are rich in Jain sculpture. The colossal statues of Gomateshwar at Shravanabelagola and Karakkal remain as marvels of Indian sculpture. Jains also built many rock-cut cave temples. The Hathigumpha caves at Udayagiri in Orissa are built in this style. Similar cave temples can also be found at places like Junagadh and Osmanabad. The Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu in Rajasthan showcases the architectural excellence of the Jains. The stupas and pillars built by the Jains display the excellence of Jain art. The stupas were built in honour of the ascetics. Examples of Jain art can also be found at Udayagiri, Ellora and Khajuraho.