Jainism

16-05-2024

02:03 AM

GS I

Sub-Categories:

Ancient History Notes for UPSC

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Table of Contents

• Factors led to the Rise of Jainism in India

• Historical Background of Jainism

• Teachings of Mahavira

• 8 Auspicious Symbols of Jainism

• Sects of Jainism

• Spread of Jainism to other parts of India

• Relevance of Jain Ideology in todays World

Prelims: History of India

Mains: Indian culture- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern
times

In the sixth century BC, Jainism emerged as a result of widespread opposition to the formalized ritualism
and hierarchical structure of the Vedic religion. Jainism is one of the religions whose origin can be traced
back to the twenty four teachers (tirthankaras - ones who establishes a path or ford), through whom
their faith is believed to have been handed down.

Jainism is a sramanic religion. Sramana' is a Sanskrit word that denotes an ascetic or monk. The practice
of virtues such as non-violence, renunciation, celibacy, self-control, etc., as well as asceticism, mysticism,
meditation, contemplation, silence, and solitude, among others, are distinguishing features of this
tradition.

Factors led to the Rise of Jainism in India

The primary cause of the rise of religion was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century BC. Other
major factors include:

• Complex religious practices: In the later Vedic period, Indian society had many complex rituals
and sacrifices that were unacceptable to the common people.
 o For example, the sacrificial ceremonies were too expensive, and the superstitious beliefs
and mantras confused people.

• Domination of Brahmans: The Brahmans stated themselves as upper Varna with the highest
status in society and demanded several privileges. Thus, these systems naturally divided society
and generated tensions.

• Opposition from Kshatriyas and Vaishyas: They reacted strongly against the ritualistic
domination of the Brahmans.

• The equality of Jainism: Attracted the masses, which gave relief from the discriminations of
the Varna system.

• Use of Simple Language: Mahavira’s religious message was in simple language. The masses were
drawn to it because it was in the language they spoke and understood better. Acceptance by the
masses soon led to its spread.

• Simple Doctrine: Vardhaman Mahavira’s Jainism came to the masses as a welcome relief.

o Nonviolence and other practical moralities that Jainism advocated attracted people to it.

o Its edge over the Vedic religion was a comparatively easier way to liberation, thereby
gaining wider adherence throughout India.

Historical Background of Jainism

According to Jaina traditions, twenty-four Tirthankaras were responsible for the origin and development
of Jaina religion and philosophy. Of these, the first twenty-two are of doubtful historicity. In the case of
the last two, Parsvanatha and Mahavira, Buddhist works confirm their historicity.

• Adinath/Rishabhdev: The first Tirthankara (supreme preacher) and establisher of the Ikshvaku
dynasty.

• Ajita: The second Tirthankara

• Neminatha: the twenty-second Tirthankara

• Parsvanatha: According to Jaina tradition, the twenty-third Tirthankara, Parsvanatha, was the
son of King Asvasena of Varanasi and Queen Vama.

o Parsvanatha believed in the eternity of ‘matter’.

o The followers of Parsvanatha wore white garments.

o Thus, it is clear that even before Mahavira, some kind of Jaina faith existed.

• Mahavira: The twenty-fourth Tirthankara was Vardhamana Mahavira.

Mahavira and his life

The 24th Tirthankara was Vardhamana Mahavira.

• Birth: Born in Kundagrama (Basukunda), a suburb of Vaishali (Bihar), in 540 BC.

 • Parents: Father Siddhartha (head of the Jnatrikas, a Kshatriya clan) and mother, Trishala, a
Lichchavi princess.

• Spouse: Yashoda

• What made Vardhaman Mahavira take up asceticism?

• At the age of thirty, Vardhamana left his home and became an ascetic.

• For twelve years, he lived the life of an ascetic following severe austerities.

• In the 13th year of his asceticism, at the age of 42, he attained the ‘Supreme Knowledge’
(Kaivalya).

• Titles: He was later known as ‘Mahavira’ (the supreme hero) or ‘Jina’ (the conqueror). He was
also hailed as ‘Nirgrantha’.

• Preachings: For the next thirty years, he moved from place to place and preached his doctrines
in Kosala, Magadha, and further east.

• Patronage: He often visited the courts of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.

• Death: He died at Pawa (near Rajagriha) in Patna district at the age of 72 (468 BC).

Jain Councils

First Jain Council (300 BC) Second Jain Council (512 AD)

Venue - Pataliputra (Bihar) - Vallabhi (Gujarat)

Presided - Sthulbhadra - Devardhigani Kshemasarmana.

by

Patronage - Chandragupta Maurya -NA-

Outcome - Sthulabhadra divided the Jaina canon into 12 - New additions were made in the form
‘angas’ or sections, and they were compiled. of "upangas" or minor sections.

Teachings of Mahavira

The ultimate objective of Mahavira’s teachings is how one can attain total freedom from the cycle of
birth, life, pain, misery, and death and achieve the permanent blissful state of one's self. This is also
known as liberation, Nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.

Pancha Mahavratas in Jainism

Mahavira accepted most of the religious doctrines laid down by Parsvanatha. However, he made some
alterations and additions to them. The five doctrines of Jainism (five vows), known as
Panchamahavratas, are for the monks.
 4 doctrines advocated by Parsvanath 5th Doctrine added by Mahavira

• Ahimsa: do not commit violence

• Satya: do not tell a lie

• Brahmacharya: observe continence
• Asteya: do not steal

• Aparigraha: do not hoard

• 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.

o According to him, the soul is in a state of bondage created by desire accumulated

through previous births.

o The liberated soul then becomes ‘the pure soul." He thought that all objects, animate
and inanimate, had a soul.

o 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.

o He advocated a life of severe asceticism and extreme penance to attain ‘nirvana’ or the
highest spiritual state.

Ratnatraya/three jewels (three principles required to be observed to attain Moksha/Nirvana)

Samyak Darshan: Right belief Samyak Gyan: Right knowledge Samyak Charitra: Right action

• 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.

8 Auspicious Symbols of Jainism

Jainism has several important symbols that hold significant meaning for its followers. Here are some of
the key symbols of Jainism:

• 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.

Five types of knowledge in Jainism

According to Jainism, knowledge is the quality of the soul. Understanding and acquiring knowledge are
attained through pramana (instruments of knowledge) and naya (points of view).

• Mati Jnana: Perception through the activity of sense organs, including the mind.

• Sruta Jnana: Knowledge revealed by the scriptures.

• Avadhi Jnana: Clairvoyant perception.

• Manahparyaya Jnana: Telepathic knowledge

• Kevala Jnana: Temporal knowledge or omniscience.

Mahavira’s teachings were orally transmitted to people. His disciples, Ganadharas, wrote them down in
the text form of fourteen ‘Purvas’ and twelve Angas.

Among the 12 Angas, the Acharanga sutta and Bhagavati sutta are the most important. While the
former deals with the code of conduct which a Jain monk must follow, the latter expounds the Jaina
doctrines comprehensively.

Doctrine of Syadvada and Anekantavada

• Syadvada (Theory of Judgement): The Jain view that all our ordinary knowledge is necessarily
partial, always relative to some particular point of view and particular aspects of objects, is
known as Syadvada.

o According to this concept, identity and difference must exist in reality.

• Anekantavada: According to this doctrine, ultimate truth and reality is complex and has multiple
aspects.

o Anekantavada has also been interpreted to mean- non-absolutism, intellectual ahimsa,

religious pluralism, and rejection of fanaticism.

Sects of Jainism

The Jain order has been divided into two major sects: Svetambara and Digambara.

• Reason for division: The division occurred mainly due to famine in Magadh, which compelled a
group led by Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya to move to South India (Shravan Belgola)
in 298 BC.

o The leader of the group that stayed back at Magadha wasof Sthulbhadra.

o During the 12 years of famine, the group in South India stuck to the strict practices,
while the group in Magadha adopted a more lax attitude and started wearing white
clothes.

• During later years, further splits took place among both sections, the most important of them
being one that renounced idol worship altogether and devoted itself to worshipping the
scriptures.
 o They were called the Terapanthis among the Svetambaras and the Samaiyas among the
Digambaras. (This sect came into existence about the sixth century CE).

Sects Digambaras Svetambaras

Led by Bhadrabahu Sthulbhadra

- They do not wear clothes, as this sect

View on believes in complete nudity.
- They wear simple white clothes.
Clothing - Female monks wear unstitched, plain
white sarees and are called Aryikas.

Question on - They believed that women could not - They believe that Tirthankaras can be
women be Tirthankaras and Malli was a man. men or women.

Follow the - Mahavira, that is, “Pancha - Preachings of Parshvanatha, that is, only
teachings of Mahavratas”, to attain Kaivalya. four restraints (except Brahmacharya).

Follow the Jain - Believed in the validity and sacredness of

- Prakrit Suttapahuda of Kundakunda.
literature the twelve angas and sutras.

- Once a saint becomes a

Food for - This view is not acceptable to the
kevalior Kevala-jnani,that is, omniscient,
omniscient Svetambaras.
he needs no morsel of food.

- They represent the idols of

- Depicts the idols of Tirthankars as
Idols of Tirthankaras as nude. Unadorned and
wearing a loin-cloth adorned with jewels
Tirthankaras with downcast eyes in a contemplative
and with glass eyes inserted in the marble.
mood.

Sub-sects of Jainism under Digambaras and Svetambaras

Digambaras Svetambaras

- Mula Sangh:
- Sthanakavasi:
• Associated with Acharya Kundakunda.
• They believe in praying to Saints
• The oldest known from 430 AD.
rather than to an idol in a
• Branches: Nandi Gana, Sena Gana, Deva Gana, temple.
Simha Gana.
 - Bisapantha: • The saints wear a muhapatti
near their mouth to cover it,
• They worship Tirthankaras, Yakshas and Yakshinis.
unlike Murtipujakas.
• Their religious practices include aarti and offerings
- Murtipujaka (Deravasi):
of flowers, fruits, and prasad offerings.
• They keep idols of the
• Bhattarakas are considered dharma gurus.
Tirthankaras at their temples
• They are concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. and worship them

- Digambar Terapantha: • Saints do not wear a muhapatti.

• Worship the idols with ‘ashtadravya’, but replace - Terapanthi:

flowers and fruits with dry substitutes.
• They pray to saints rather than
• They do not accept Bhattarakas and worship only to an idol in a temple, like
Tirthankaras. Sthanakavasi.

- Taranpantha: • Terapanthi saints also wear a

muhapatti near their mouth to
• The Taranapanthis strongly refute idolatry, but they cover it.
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.

Spread of Jainism to other parts of India

Jainism spread to different parts of India during Mahavira's lifetime and after his death. Several factors
are responsible for its spread.

• Contribution of Mahavira: Mahavira moved from place to place and preached his teachings.

o His simple way of life, penance and austerity attracted people towards him.

o Mahavira had eleven disciples known as Ganadharas or heads of schools.

o Arya Sudharma was the only Ganadhara who survived after the death of Mahavira.
Mahavira became the first ‘Thera’ (chief preceptor).

• Role of Jain Monks: Jain monks spread Jainism by visiting several places and holding scholarly
discussions exhibiting their personal examples of simplicity, which could significantly influence
the people.

• Royal Patronage: The followers of Mahavira slowly spread over the whole country. In many
regions, royal patronage was bestowed on Jainism.

• According to Jaina tradition, Udayin, the successor of Ajatasatru, was a devoted Jaina.
 • Chandragupta Maurya was a follower of Jainism, and he migrated with Bhadrabahu to the south
and spread Jainism.

• During the early centuries of the Christian Era, Mathura and Ujjain became great centres of
Jainism.

• Two Theras administered the Jaina order in the days of the late Nanda King: Sambhutavijaya and
Bhadrabahu. The sixth Thera was Bhadrabahu, a contemporary of Maurya King Chandragupta
Maurya.

Relevance of Jain Ideology in today's World

The doctrines of Jainism with respect to the contemporary world situation are found to be very much
relevant. With these doctrines of Jainism, we can bring back the peace and harmony in the society and
the world.

• Anektavada highlights the spirit of intellectual and social tolerance in the world.

• Non-violence: The principle of non-violence gained prominence in today's nuclear-weapon

world to attain long-lasting peace in society.

• The principle of Aparigraha can help to control consumerist habits as there is a great increase in
greed and possessive tendencies.

• The doctrine of Triratna is relevant to present-time situations, which can liberate the souls of
women along with men from the subjugation to liberty and freedom.

PYQs on Jainism

Question 1: With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: (UPSC Prelims 2022)

1. Nettipakarana

2. Parishishtaparvan

3. Avadanashataka

4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts?

1. 1, 2 and 3

2. 2 and 4 only

3. 1, 3 and 4

4. 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Question 2: With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to (UPSC
Prelims 2018)
 1. Buddhism

2. Jainism

3. Vaishnavism

4. Shaivism

Answer: (b)

Question 3: With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements (UPSC
Prelims 2017)

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.

2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary but existed
forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

2. 2 only

3. Both 1 and 2

4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b)

Question 4: Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? (UPSC Prelims 2013)

1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.

2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul.

3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only

2. 2 and 3 only

3. 1 and 3 only

4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

FAQs on Jainism

What is Jainism?

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that teaches that the path to liberation and bliss is through
harmlessness and renunciation.
What are the five vows of Jainism?

The five doctrines of Jainism (five vows), known as Panchamahavratas, are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya,
Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.

What are the three Ratnas of Jainism?

In Jainism, the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyag-darsana (“right
faith”), samyag-jnana (“right knowledge”), and samyak-charitra (“right conduct”).

What is the ideology of Jainism?

According to Jainism, the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living
things (including plants and animals). Jains, like Hindus and Buddhists, believe in reincarnation. Karma
determines the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Who are the Tirthankaras?

Tirthankaras are called Arihants/Arahants, individuals who have successfully conquered inner passions. A
Tirthankara is not an incarnation of the god. He is an ordinary soul born as a human and attains the state
of a Tirthankara due to intense practices of penance, calmness and meditation.

What is Aryika in Jainism?

Aryika is a female mendicant in Jainism, also known as Sadhvi. A Sadhvi enters the mendicant order by
making five vows, i.e., Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha.