Jainism-Religious Movements

 

Jainism

 

Founded by Rishabha.

There were 24 Tirthankaras. First was Rishabhdev (Emblem: Bull).

The 23^rd Tirthankar was Parshwanath (Emblem: Snake)

 

Mahavir:-

 

 The 24^th and the last Tirthankar was Vardhman Mahavira (Emblem: Lion). He was born in Kundagram (Distt Muzaffarpur, Bihar) in 540 BC.

 

Born to Siddhartha (Head of the Kshatriya clan) and Trishla (sister of Lichhavi Prince chetak of Vaishali)

 

Bimbisara was related to Lord Mahavira.

Married to Yashoda, had a daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali became his first disciple.

At 30, after the death of his parents, he became an ascetic.

 

In the 13^th year of his asceticism (on the 10^th of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya).

From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains. He also got the title of Arihant, i.e., worthy.

 

At the age of 72, he attained death at Pava, in 468 BC.

 

Teachings of Mahavira:-

 

  Rejected the authority of Vedas and did not believe in existence of God.

He believed in karma and transmigration of soul.

 

Three ratnas (Way to Nirvana):-

 

Right faith (Samyak Vishwas)

Right knowledge (Samyak Gyan)

Right conduct (Samyak Karma)

 

Five Cardinal Principles:-

 

 Non-injury (Ahimsa).

Non-lying (Satya).

Non-stealing (Asteya).

Non-possession (Aparigraha).

Observing continence (Brahmacharya).

(The first four principle were given by Parsavnath while fifth was added by Lord Mahavira.)

 

Jain Councils

Council	Years	Venues	Chairman	Royal Patron	Developments
First Jain Council	300 BC	Pataliputra	Sthulabhadra	Chandragupt Maurya	Compliation of 12 Angas to replace 14 Purvas
Second Jain Council	AD 512	Vallabhi	Devridhigani Kshmasramana	-	Final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas