Jainism
Master the history, philosophy, and sects of Jainism. Explore the lives of Tirthankaras, Vardhamana Mahavira's teachings, core doctrines (Triratnas, Five Vows, Anekantavada, Syadvada), canonical literature (Angas), and the Jain Councils.
1. Life of Vardhamana Mahavira
Vardhamana Mahavira was born into a royal Kshatriya family. He is recognized as the reformer and final Tirthankara of Jainism. The key biographical facts and symbols associated with the major Tirthankaras are heavily tested:
| Tirthankara |
Order & Importance |
Representative Symbol |
Key Association |
| Rishabhadev |
1st Tirthankara (Founder) |
Bull |
Mentioned in Rigveda and Vishnu Purana. Born in Ayodhya. |
| Neminath |
22nd Tirthankara |
Conch Shell |
Considered a cousin of Lord Krishna in Jain traditions. |
| Parshvanath |
23rd Tirthankara |
Serpent (Snake) |
Prince of Banaras. Proposed 4 vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha). Died on Sammed Shikhar. |
| Vardhamana Mahavira |
24th Tirthankara (Reformer) |
Lion |
Attained Kaivalya at Jrimbhikagrama under a Sal tree. Added Brahmacharya. |
Mahavira belonged to the **Jnatrika** Kshatriya clan. He attained enlightenment (Kaivalya) after 12 years of intense penance. He was called *Jina* (Conqueror of senses), *Kevalin* (Possessor of perfect knowledge), and *Mahavira* (Great Hero).
2. Core Philosophical Doctrines
Jain philosophy is realistic and pluralistic, rejecting the absolute authority of the Vedas. The path to liberation is centered on the **Triratna (Three Jewels)**:
- Samyak Darshana: Right Faith / Perception (belief in the Tirthankaras).
- Samyak Gyaana: Right Knowledge (unbiased, clear understanding of reality).
- Samyak Charitra: Right Conduct (practice of the vows, avoiding attachment).
The code of conduct is governed by the **Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata)** for monks and **Anuvratas** (lesser vows) for laypeople:
- Ahimsa: Non-injury to all living beings (the foremost doctrine).
- Satya: Truthfulness.
- Asteya: Non-stealing.
- Aparigraha: Non-possession / Non-attachment to material objects.
- Brahmacharya: Celibacy / Chastity.
Other vital philosophical concepts include **Anekantavada** (the multi-faceted nature of truth) and **Syadvada** (the theory of relativity in judgments/prefaced by 'Syad' or maybe). Jainism believes in the existence of *Jiva* (soul) and *Ajiva* (matter), asserting that even non-living matter has a soul.
3. Jain Canonical Literature
The sacred texts of Jainism were compiled over centuries, primarily in **Ardhamagadhi Prakrit**:
- 12 Angas: Contain the teachings of Mahavira, compiled at the Pataliputra Council. The *Acharanga Sutra* describes monastic discipline, and *Bhagavati Sutra* lists the 16 Mahajanapadas and contains biographies of Mahavira.
- 12 Upangas: Explanations and supplements to the Angas.
- 10 Prakirnas: Texts on miscellaneous topics.
- 6 Chhedasutras: Rules and regulations for monks' conduct.
- 4 Mulasutras: Core teachings for newly initiated monks.
Non-Canonical literature includes **Kalpasutra** (Sanskrit work by Bhadrabahu containing biographies of Tirthankaras), **Parishishtaparvan** (historical work by Hemachandra), and the Tamil epic **Civaka Cintamani**.
4. The Two Jain Councils
Two major historical councils were convened to resolve sectarian disputes and compile the oral traditions into written form:
| Council |
Year & Venue |
President |
Key Outcomes & Significance |
| First |
c. 300 BC
Pataliputra (Bihar) |
Sthulabhadra |
Compilation of the 12 Angas to replace the lost oral teachings (Purvas). Formal division of the Jain order into Svetambaras (white-clad) and Digambaras (sky-clad). Led to the migration of Bhadrabahu's followers to South India. |
| Second |
c. 512 AD
Vallabhi (Gujarat) |
Devardhi Kshamashramana |
Final systematic compilation of Jain scriptures (Angas and Upangas) into written form in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. Discrepancies between different traditions were resolved. |
5. Sects, Art & Architecture
The great famine of Pataliputra led to the division of Jainism into two primary sects:
- Digambara (Sky-clad): Led by **Bhadrabahu**. Highly orthodox. Monks wear no clothes, believing complete nudity is essential for renunciation. They believe women cannot attain Moksha without reborn as men, and they reject the authority of the compiled 12 Angas.
- Svetambara (White-clad): Led by **Sthulabhadra**. Liberal. Monks wear simple white garments. They believe women can attain liberation (e.g., they view the 19th Tirthankara Mallinatha as female). They accept the 12 Angas.
Jain Art & Architecture: Key contributions include:
- Dilwara Temples (Mount Abu, Rajasthan) - Exquisite marble carvings (Solanki dynasty).
- Gomateshwara Temple (Shravanabelagola, Karnataka) - Gigantic monolithic statue of Bahubali, son of Rishabhadev, where the *Mahamastakabhisheka* festival is held every 12 years.
- Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves (Odisha) - Rock-cut caves patronized by King Kharavela (Mahameghavahana dynasty).
- Ranakpur Temple (Rajasthan) - Famous Chaumukha temple dedicated to Rishabhadev.
Life & Evolution of Jainism
- c. 540 BC — Birth of Vardhamana Mahavira: Born in Kundagrama near Vaishali (Bihar) to Siddhartha (Chief of Jnatrika clan) and Trishala (Lichchhavi princess).
- c. 510 BC (Age 30) — Renunciation of Worldly Life: Abandoned his home and family (wife Yasoda and daughter Anojja/Priyadarsana) after his parents' death to wander as an ascetic.
- c. 498 BC (Age 42) — Attainment of Kaivalya (Enlightenment): Attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya Gyaana) under a Sal tree on the banks of Rijupalika River near Jrimbhikagrama.
- c. 498 BC — First Sermon (Divya Dhvani): Delivered his first sermon at Vipulachala Hill in Rajgriha to eleven disciples, known as the Gandharas (led by Indrabhuti Gautama).
- c. 468 BC (Age 72) — Nirvana / Mahaparinirvana (Death): Passed away at Pavapuri (near modern Bihar Sharif, Bihar) at the palace of King Hastipal.
Key Questions & Answers
- Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism and what was his symbol?
- **Rishabhadev** (also known as Adinath). His symbol is the **Bull**.
- Which vow was added by Vardhamana Mahavira to the existing four vows of Parshvanatha?
- **Brahmacharya** (Celibacy) was added by Mahavira. The first four vows were formulated by the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.
- What are Anekantavada and Syadvada in Jain philosophy?
- **Anekantavada** is the doctrine of manifoldness/plurality of reality (no single view is the absolute truth). **Syadvada** is the theory of conditioned/relative judgments (all assertions are true only from certain standpoints, often translated as 'maybe').
- Where and when were the two major Jain Councils held?
- The **First Council** was held at **Pataliputra** (c. 300 BC) presided by Sthulabhadra. The **Second Council** was held at **Vallabhi** (c. 512 AD) presided by Devardhi Kshamashramana.
Memory Aids
- Mnemonic 1: The Three Jewels (Triratna): Remember the three paths to liberation (Ratnatraya): • **K**: Right **K**nowledge (Samyak Gyaana) • **F**: Right **F**aith/Vision (Samyak Darshana) • **C**: Right **C**onduct (Samyak Charitra)
- Mnemonic 2: The Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata): Remember the vows in sequence: • **A**: **A**himsa (Non-violence) • **S**: **S**atya (Truth) • **A**: **A**steya (Non-stealing) • **A**: **A**parigraha (Non-possession) • **B**: **B**rahmacharya (Celibacy - added by Mahavira)
- Mnemonic 3: Key Tirthankaras & Symbols: Associate the primary tested Tirthankaras with their symbols: • **1st**: Rishabhdev (Adinath) → **Bull** • **23rd**: Parshvanath → **Serpent/Snake** • **24th**: Mahavira → **Lion**
Common Exam Traps
- Trap 1: Believing Vardhamana Mahavira was the founder of Jainism. He was the **24th and last Tirthankara**. Jainism is an ancient religion, with the first Tirthankara, **Rishabhadev**, considered the traditional founder.
- Trap 2: Confusing the leaders of the two Jain sects. **Bhadrabahu** led the orthodox group to the south (giving rise to **Digambaras**, who wear no clothes). **Sthulabhadra** remained in the north (giving rise to **Svetambaras**, who wear white garments).
- Trap 3: Confusing the languages of Buddhist and Jain texts. Early Buddhist scriptures were written in **Pali**, whereas early Jain canonical texts (Angas) were composed in **Ardhamagadhi Prakrit** (a dialect of Prakrit).