JAINISM

For all competitive Examinations

BY SHUBHAM KUMAR GUPTA

Vardamana Mahavira
Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, was born in 540 B.C. in Kundagrama village near
Vaishali.
He belonged to the Jnatrika clan and had ties to the royal family of Magadha.
His father, Siddharta, was the leader of the Jnathrika Kshatriya clan, while his mother, Trishala, was
the sister of Chetaka, the king of Vaishali.
At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced his household and embraced asceticism.
For 12 years, he practiced rigorous austerity, achieving the highest spiritual knowledge called
Kaivalya at age 42.
Mahavira delivered his first sermon at Pava and was symbolized by a lion.
He undertook missions to various regions including Koshala, Magadha, Mithila, and Champa.
Mahavira passed away at Pavapuri in Bihar at the age of 72 in 468 B.C.
Jain Literature: From Oral Tradition to Sacred Texts
Jain knowledge was initially passed down through generations orally. This was because monks strictly
followed the five great vows (AAHINSA), which prohibited owning possessions. Since scriptures were
seen as possessions, they weren't documented.

However, memorizing vast amounts of knowledge became difficult. Lord Mahavira's disciples, the
Ganadharas (those with perfect knowledge), compiled the teachings into 12 core texts called Angas.
These are considered the oldest Jain scriptures.

Here's a breakdown of Jain scriptures:

Angas (12): The foundation of Jain literature, containing Lord Mahavira's direct teachings. (Important
Fact!)
Upangas (12): Commentaries that elaborate on the Angas.
Prakirnas (10): Independent scriptures covering various Jain subjects.
Shvetambara Canon:

Includes the 12 Angas, 12 Upanangas, and 10 Prakirnas.

While there isn't a single story like the Buddha's departure in Jainism, here's a breakdown of the reasons
why Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, and Jain ascetics in general, might have chosen to leave their
homes and pursue Kaivalya Gyan (enlightened knowledge):

Motivations for Mahavira:

Re-attaining Keval Jnana: As the last Tirthankara, Mahavira wasn't achieving enlightenment for the first
time. Jainism believes Tirthankaras are already enlightened beings who return to guide humanity. His focus
might have been on regaining that perfect knowledge he possessed in past lives.
Compassion for All Beings: Tirthankaras are believed to be driven by immense compassion for all living
creatures. Attaining Kaivalya Gyan grants them the perfect understanding of the universe and the tools to
guide others towards liberation from suffering.
Jaina doctrines are believed to be much older than Buddhism .

• First Tirthankara - Rishabdeva (Symbol - bull).

• 23rd Tirthankara - Parsavnatha (symbol - Snake)
• Mahavira - 24th Tirthankara (symbol - Lion)

• The core of the Jaina doctrine is expressed in the principle of -

o Anekantavada - Doctrine of manyfold nature of reality.
o Triratnas - Three gems
o Panch Mahavrata - Five great vows
o Ahimsa - Doctrine of Non Violence
• Three jewels of Jain Ethics called as Triratnas
o Right Faith - Samyag Darshana
o Right Knowledge - Samyag Jnana
o Right Conduct - Samyag Charitra - 5 Vows
Three jewels of Jain Ethics called as
Triratnas
o Right Faith - Samyag Darshana
o Right Knowledge - Samyag Jnana
o Right Conduct - Samyag Charitra - 5
Vows
Panch Mahavratas
• Non Violence (Ahimsa Parmo
Dhrama) (Jainism prohibited the
practice of war and even
agriculture for its followers)
(Eventually Jainas, confined
themselves to trade and
mercantile
activities)
• Truth (Satya)
• Non Stealing (Asteya) -To take
more than one’s need is also
considered Theft in Jainism
• Celibacy/Chastity (Brahmcharaya
added by Mahavira)
• Non Attachement/Non
Possession (Aparigraha
Tirthankaras Meaning Symbols or Emblems

Rishabhanatha or Adinath Lord Bull or Lord First Bull

Ajith Invincible one Elephant

Shambhava Auspicious Horse

Abhinandana Worship Ape

Sumati Wise Heron

Padmaprabha Lotus-Bright Lotus

Suparshva Good-sided Swastika

Chandraprabha Moon-bright Moon

Suvidi/Pushpadanta Religious Duties or Blossom- Dolphin or Sea Dragon

toothed

Shitala Coolness Shrivatsa

Shreyamsha Good Rhinoceros

Vasupujya Worship by offering Buffalo

possessions

Vimala Clear Boar

Ananta Endless Hawk/Bear

Dharma Duty Thunderbolt

Shanti Peace Antelope or Deer

Kunthu Heap of Jewels Goat

Ara Division of time Nandyavarta or the Fish

Malli Wrestler Water Jug

Suvrata or Munisuvrata Of good vows Tortoise

Nami/Nimin Bowing Down or Winking of Blue Lotus

the Eye

Nemi/Arishtanemi The rim of whose wheel is Conch Shell

unhurt

Parshvanath Lord serpent Snake

Vardhamana Mahavira Prospering great hero Lion

The Story:
Bhadrabahu, a chief disciple of Lord Mahavira, foresaw a twelve-year famine.
He advised the Jain monks to migrate from Magadha (present-day Bihar) to south India to avoid the famine.
The monks divided into two groups: one led by Sthulabhadra and the other by Bhadrabahu himself.
Bhadrabahu practiced Sallekhana (voluntary fasting unto death), a Jain practice for spiritual liberation, during the
famine.
The Digambara Perspective:
The Digambaras claim that Sthulabhadra deviated from Mahavira's teachings during this period.
They allege that Sthulabhadra:
Introduced the practice of monks wearing white clothes (Svetambara means white).
Allowed women to become nuns, which they believe goes against Mahavira's teachings.
The Digambaras consider these practices heretical innovations and view Sthulabhadra as the founder of the
Svetambara sect.
The Svetambara Perspective:
The Svetambaras reject the Digambara narrative.
They believe Sthulabhadra remained faithful to Mahavira's teachings.
They emphasize that:
Monks and nuns wearing white clothes signifies modesty, and Mahavira himself wore white garments.
Women can achieve liberation and should be allowed into the monastic order.
The Svetambaras view the Digambara practice of nudity as a later development and a misinterpretation of
Mahavira's teachings.
Important Points:
The story of Sthulabhadra and Bhadrabahu is central to the Digambara explanation for the split.
The details and interpretations of the story differ between the two sects.
Historians cannot definitively confirm the story's accuracy, but its symbolic significance endures.
Feature Digambara Shvetambara
Clothing Sky-clad (nude) White-clad
Nudity Essential for liberation Not essential
Migrated to South Stayed back during
Origin of Difference
during Magadha famine Magadha famine
Leaders During
Bhadrabahu Sthalabahu
Famine
Cannot achieve
Views on Women Can achieve liberation
liberation directly
 Can achieve Moksha in this
Women and Moksha Must be reborn as a man
lifetime

Needs of the Require food and other

Freed from all needs
Enlightened necessities

Married Yashoda and had a

Marriage of Mahavira Never married
daughter

Nude, unadorned
Worship of Idols White-clad, adorned Tirthankaras
Tirthankaras

Scripture Original texts lost 12 Angas and Sutras are valid

Digambaras Svetambaras
- Mula Sangh: - Sthanakavasi:
•Associated with Acharya Kundakunda. •They believe in praying to Saints rather than to an idol in a temple.
•The oldest known from 430 AD. •The saints wear a muhapatti near their mouth to cover it, unlike
•Branches: Nandi Gana, Sena Gana, Deva Gana, Simha Gana. Murtipujakas.
- Bisapantha: - Murtipujaka (Deravasi):
•They worship Tirthankaras, Yakshas and Yakshinis. •They keep idols of the Tirthankaras at their temples and worship them
•Their religious practices include aarti and offerings of flowers, fruits, • Saints do not wear a muhapatti.
and prasad offerings. - Terapanthi:
•Bhattarakas are considered dharma gurus. •They pray to saints rather than to an idol in a temple, like
•They are concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Sthanakavasi.
- Digambar Terapantha: •Terapanthi saints also wear a muhapatti near their mouth to cover it.
•Worship the idols with ‘ashtadravya’, but replace flowers and fruits
with dry substitutes.
•They do not accept Bhattarakas and worship only Tirthankaras.
- Taranpantha:
•The Taranapanthis strongly refute idolatry, but they have their own
temples where they keep their sacred books for worship.
•Taranapanthis give more importance to spiritual values and the study
of sacred literature.
•Anuvratas: A code of conduct was prescribed for both householders and monks. To avoid evil karma, a
householder had to observe the five vows (in their limited nature).
•Jainism believed that the monastic life was essential to attaining salvation, and a householder could not attain it.
•A monk had to observe certain strict rules and abandon worldly possessions.
•The idea of soul and matter: Mahavira believed that soul (jiva) and matter (ajiva) were the two basic existing
elements.
• According to him, the soul is in a state of bondage created by desire accumulated through previous births.
• The liberated soul then becomes ‘the pure soul." He thought that all objects, animate and inanimate, had
a soul.
• He believed that they felt pain or the influence of injury.
•The idea of Moksha: According to Jainism, man is the creator of his own destiny, and he could attain ‘moksha’
by pursuing a life of purity, virtue, and renunciation.
• He advocated a life of severe asceticism and extreme penance to attain ‘nirvana’ or the highest spiritual
state.

The idea of God: He believed that the world was not created by any supreme creator. The world functions
according to an eternal law of decay and development.
View on Vedas: He rejected the authority of the Vedas and objected to Vedic rituals and the supremacy of the
Brahmanas.
Swastika - It signifies the peace and well-being of
humans.
Nandavarta - It is a large swastika with nine endpoints.
Bhadrasana - A throne is said to be sanctified by the
Jaina’s feet.
Shrivatsa - A mark manifests on the chest of
Tirthankara's image and signifies his pure soul.
Darpana - The mirror which reflects the inner self.
Minayugala - A couple fish which signifies the conquest
over sexual urges.
Vardhamanaka - A shallow dish is used as a lamp,
which shows the increase in wealth, due, and merit.
Kalasha - A pot filled with pure water.
First Jain Council (300 BC) Second Jain Council (512
AD)
Venue - Pataliputra (Bihar) - Vallabhi (Gujarat)
Presided by - Sthulbhadra - Devardhigani
Kshemasarmana.
Patronage - Chandragupta Maurya -NA-
Outcome - Sthulabhadra divided the - New additions were made in
Jaina canon into 12 ‘angas’ or the form of "upangas" or
sections, and they were minor sections.
compiled.
Jainism vs. Buddhism: Key Differences

Jainism and Buddhism, both Indian religions originating around the same time, share some core principles but
diverge in their interpretations. Here's a breakdown of some key differences:

•Soul and Self: Jains believe in an eternal soul (jiva) that undergoes reincarnation. Buddhists, on the other
hand, reject the concept of a permanent self and emphasize impermanence (anatta).
•Varna System: Jain texts acknowledge the varna system, the social hierarchy, but some Jain scholars criticize
its rigidity. Buddhism generally critiques the varna system, promoting equality and merit as paths to liberation.
•Path to Liberation: Both religions advocate ethical living, but their approaches differ. Jains emphasize extreme
asceticism, with some sects practicing nudity. Buddhists follow the "Middle Way," avoiding extremes of self-
indulgence or strict austerity.
Jainism's Relevance in the Modern World

Jain principles hold significant value in today's society:

•Non-violence (Ahimsa): In a world grappling with conflicts and violence, Jainism's emphasis on non-
violence (ahimsa) offers a powerful message of peace and compassion. This principle extends to all
living beings, promoting environmental responsibility and mindful consumption.
•Anekāntavāda (Multiple Perspectives): This Jain concept encourages tolerance for diverse
viewpoints. In our increasingly polarized world, respecting different perspectives is crucial for peaceful
coexistence and productive dialogue.
•Non-Attachment (Aparigraha): Jainism's emphasis on non-possession (aparigraha) serves as a
counterpoint to rampant consumerism. By minimizing desires and reducing unnecessary possessions,
we can promote sustainability and reduce our environmental impact.
Jain contributions extend beyond philosophy. They played a vital role in:

•Language Development: Jain texts significantly influenced the development of

Prakrit and Kannada languages.
•Art and Literature: Jainism boasts a rich artistic heritage, evident in their temples
and sculptures. Their literary contributions have also enriched Indian culture.

Jainism's message of non-violence, respect for diverse viewpoints, and mindful living
continues to resonate in the modern world, offering valuable guidance for building a
more peaceful and sustainable future.
Question
Where was Mahavira Swami born?
Options:
a) Kundagram
b) Pataliputra
c) Magadha
d) Vaishali
Exam:
53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011
47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005
42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997
Correct Option:
a) Kundagram
Explanation:
Mahavira Swami was born in Kundagram (also known as Kundalpur) near Vaishali, making
option (a) the correct answer.
Question
Kundalpur is the birthplace of –
Options:
a) Emperor Ashoka
b) Gautam Buddha
c) Mahavira Swami
d) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Exam:
U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2004
Correct Option:
c) Mahavira Swami
Explanation:
Kundalpur is the birthplace of Mahavira Swami, the founder of Jainism, making
option (c) the correct answer.
Question
Mahavira Jain breathed his last at –
Options:
a) Rajgir
b) Ranchi
c) Pavapuri
d) Samastipur
Exam:
45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001
Correct Option:
c) Pavapuri
Explanation:
Mahavira Swami attained Nirvana at Pavapuri, located near Rajgriha
(Rajgir), making option (c) the correct answer.
Question
The salvation place of Mahavirji, the originator of Jain religion, is located at -
Options:
a) Maner
b) Rajgir
c) Pavapuri
d) Jalan Port
e) None of the above/More than one of the above
Exam:
63rd B.P.S.C (Pre.) 2017
Correct Option:
c) Pavapuri
Explanation:
Pavapuri is the salvation place of Mahavira Swami, making option (c) the correct
answer.
Question
On the banks of which river did Mahavira Swami attain
enlightenment?
Options:
a) Swarnasikta
b) Palashini
c) Ganga
d) Rijupalika
Exam:
U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017
Correct Option:
d) Rijupalika
Explanation:
Mahavira Swami attained enlightenment at the bank of the
river Rijupalika in the village of Jrimbhik, making option (d)
the correct answer.