Jainism

Jainism

Jainism, a sister religion of Hinduism, was founded by Bhagwaan Mahaaveera in around 800 B.C. Although Jainism is an Aaryan Religion, it did not accept the authority of the Vedas.

Around the 8th century B.C. a group of Aaryans opposed some of the teachings given in the Vedas and also some of the practices in the Hindu religion. They were not ready to accept the idea of sacrificing animals to please God for acquiring material benefits or for gaining entry into heaven for themselves. They held the notion that all life is sacred and it is a sin to kill innocent animals in the name of Yajna. They revolted against the religious traditions that were then prevailing.

They laid stress on leading a strict, disciplined and simple life and felt that man must suppress his animal instincts. In course of time people who held this view came together under the discipleship of Vardhamaana Mahaaveera into another religious sect called JAINISM. The roots of this great religion can be traced back
to the ancient times and its origin is associated with Rishabhadeva who was a great King and who later on became a great, supreme ascetic.

In the Jain religion, the word Teerthankara means the one who provides a raft to cross the world of samsaara (ie those who have discovered and shown the way to salvation). This raft is Dharma. It is believed that Rishabhadeva was the first teerthankara, the 23rd one being Paarshvanaatha. Vardhamaana Mahaaveera is said to be twenty fourth and the last among the Jain Teerthankaras.

Mahaaveera is also called Jina, the conqueror, the conqueror of not earthly kingdoms, but of spiritual kingdoms, conqueror of his own self, the senses and the passions of the world. Jains believe that the highest being is a ‘Siddha’ – a soul who has attained liberation or Moksha.

Life of Vardhamaana Mahaaveera

Vardhamaana Mahaaveera was born as a Kshatriya Prince to Siddhaartha and Trishala Devi, the King and Queen of Kundalpur in the kingdom of Vaishaali. In his childhood, Vardhamana performed several brave feats and was named ‘Mahaveera’ – the brave one.

Mahaaveera was not interested in leading a luxurious life. His mind was always pondering over the suffering of mankind and how to overcome them. He renounced the world at the age of 30. After 12 years of strict discipline, wisdom finally dawned on him. He found out the cause of misery and the way to remove it and he propounded it in his Jain philosophy. The ultimate objective of his teaching is to attain total freedom from the cycle of birth, life and death, and achieve a permanent blissful state. This is also known as Liberation (Nirvana). He preached for the remaining thirty years of his life and won over a number of followers. He attained Nirvana/Salvation at Paavaapuri in Bihar at the age of 72. He left behind a strongly organised Jain community, which continued to flourish throughout India.

Philosophy of Jainism

Jains believe that when man is free from all Karmas, he will attain Kevala Jnaana or ultimate knowledge. To free oneself from the cycle of birth and death, one must follow certain rules. Rules for sannyaasis are very strict. But for the householder or common man they are much more liberal.

These are:

1. Ahimsaa: Every material thing has a spirit in it and therefore, one must not injure any living being but show positive kindness towards them.
2. Satya: One must be truthful in his speech.
3. Asteya: One must not steal. Even the thought of theft is a sin.
4. Aparigraha: One must not be greedy and hoard wealth. One must have only that which is needed for survival.
5. Brahmacharya: One must be chaste in thought, word and deed.

Jainism preaches the 3 jewels in life: –

1. Right knowledge (samyak jnana)
2. Right vision (samyak darshana)
3. Right conduct (samyak charitra)

Following these 3 precepts leads one to salvation, freedom from all misery, all pain. Jainism is a religion in which all life is considered worthy of respect and it advocates the protection of even the smallest creatures like microscopic organisms. Jain monks often wear a mask on their mouth to avoid breathing in micro-organisms and causing them harm. They walk barefoot so as not to harm tiny creatures they may step on.

Jain scriptures were written over a long period of time, but the best known is the Tattvartha Sutra or Book of Reality written by the monk-scholar, Umasvati or Umasvami almost 1800 years ago.

The Jain symbol (shown below) is a compound, made up of a number of other symbols significant to the Jain religion. The symbol encompasses the core Jain teachings.