Vardhaman Mahavira & Jainism in India - upsc

Introduction :

The Jainism was emerged as one of the most important religious reform movement in India. The Jainism came into prominence in 6th century B.C., when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion. There were 24 Tirthankaras or teachers or Great-learned men in Jain. 

Mahavira


Origin :


• Vardhaman Mahavira was the last and 24th Tirthankara.

• First Tirthankara : Rishabhadev

• 23rd Tirthankara : Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi.

• The word 'Jain' is derived from Jina or Jaina which means Conqueror.

Life of Vardhaman Mahavira (540-467 BC) :


• Birth : Prince Vardhaman was born at Kundagram in  Vaishali. Belong to Jnatrika clan.

• Parents : King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala

• His wife Yasoda and a daughter Anojja

• Teachers : Alarkama and Udraka Ramputra

• Left Home : At the age of 30 (an ascetic)

• Attained Kaivalya (Perfect Knowledge) : At the age of 42.

• Through Kaivalya he conquered misery and happiness. Because of this conquest he is known as he is known as Mahavira or the great hero jina. i.e., the conqueror, and his followers are known as Jainas.

• First Sermon : At Pavapuri

• He passed away at the age of 72 in 468 BC at a place called Pavapuri near modern Rajgir.
 

Causes of Origin :

• Due to increasing complexity of life in that period.
• Complex Vedic rituals, Superstitious beliefs, mantras confused people.
• The teaching of Upanishads were difficult to understood by common people.
• The prevalent of rigid caste-system in India generated tensions in society.
• Supremacy of Brahmina caused unrest in society.
• Practice of killing cows became hindrance to new agri economy.
• Teaching in Sanskrit language.

Jain Teaching and Philosophy :


🔶 Three Jewels (TRIRATNA) : 
The believe that through three fold path of -
• Samyak Darshana : Right Belief
• Samyak Gyana : Right Knowledge
• Samyak Charitra : Right Conduct

🔶 Five Doctrines of Jainism :
• Ahimsa : Do not commit violence 
• Satya : Do not speak a lie
• Astey : Do not steal
• Aparigraha : Do not aquired property
• Brahmacharya : Observe continence

Only the Fith doctrine was added by Mahavira. 

🔶 Teachings of Jainism :
Beleif in God - It recognised the existence of God but placed them lower than Jina (Mahavira).
• It did not condemn the Varna System but attempted to mitigate the evils of the Varna order and the ritualistic Vedic religion.
• The Jainism believes in the "transmigration of the Soul" and the "theory of Karma".
• Advocated life of austerity and non-violence.
• Anekantavada : Emphasis that the ultimate truth and reality is complex, and has multiple -aspects i.e. "theory of plurality".

🔶 Sects / Schools of Jainism :
Jain order has been divided into Two Major schools -
1. Digambara &
2. Svetambara
The division occurred mainly due to famine in Magadha which compelled a group led by Bhadrabahu to move South India.

Digambara :
• Monks of this sect believe in complete nudity.        Monks do not wear clothes
• Female Monks wear unstiched plain white sarees.
• Follow all five doctrines - Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya.
• Bhadrabahu was an exponent of Digambara sect.
• Digambara Jain's believe that women can not be Tirthankaras (women can not achieve liberation).
• Monasticism rules are more rigid under Digambara School.
Major Sub-Sects -
+ Mula Sangh
+ Bisapantha
+ Terapanthi
+ Samaiyapantha

Svetambara :
• Monks wear white clothes.
• Svetambara follow the preaching of Parshvanatha, i.e. they believe in only four restraints (except Brahmacharya) to be followed to attain Kevalya.
• Believe Women can achieve liberation.
• Svetambara indicates five eternal substances in existence : Soul (Jiva), Matter (Pudgala), Space (Akasha), Motion (Dharma) and Rest (Adharma), unlike Digambaras which added the sixth eternal substances as Time (Kala).
Major Sub-Sects -
+ Muktipujaka
+ Sthanakvasi
+ Terapanthi


🔶 Jain Councils :
1. First Jain Council :
• Held at Patliputra in 3rd Century B.C. and was presided by Sthulbhadra.

2. Second Jain Council :
+ Held at Vallabhi in 512 A.D. and was presided by Devardhi Kshmasramana.
+ Final compilations of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

🔶 Jain Literature :
• Jain Literature is mainly written in Prakrit language.
Kalpasutra written by Bhadrabahu. It contains biography of Jain Tirthankaras.
• Teachings of Tirthankaras before Mahavira was known as Purva.
• Jain Literature is called as Jain Agamas.

💠 Jain Architecture :

It was mixture of Hindu and Buddhist style of architecture.
 The Jain architectures -
🔸Gumphas (Cave) : 
• Ellora Caves at Aurangabad in Maharashtra
• Mangi Tungi Cave - Maharashtra
• Gajapantha Cave - Maharashtra
• Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves - Odisha
• Hathi-gumpha Caves - Odisha
• Sittanavasal Cave - Tamil Nadu

🔸Statues :
• Gometeshwara/Bahubali Statue - Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
• Statue of Ahimsa (Rishabhnatha) - Mangi Tungi Hills, Maharashtra

🔸Jainalaya (Temple) :
• Dilwara Temple - Mount Abu, Rajasthan
• Girnar and Palitana Temple - Gujarat
• Muktagiri Temple - Maharashtra

💠 Spread of Jainism :

• Mahavira admitted both men and women as his followers.
• Jainism did not very clearly mark itself out from the Brahminical religion.
• The spread of Jainism in Karnataka is attributed to Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.).
• Jainism went to the South under the leadership of Bhadrabahu due to great famine in North India.
• Jainism used comman man languages - Prakrit language.
• Simplified Lifestyle.

💠 Difference between Jainism and Buddhism :

Jainism Vs Buddhism


Sr. No.JainismBuddhism
1.It recognised existence of God. It reject the existence of God.
2.Jainism does not condemn the Varna System. It condemn the Varna System.
3.Jainism believe in existence of soul.Buddhism does not believe in existence of soul.
4.Jainism advocated live the life of complete austarity.Buddhism prescribes a middle path.
5.The doctrine of Jaina is older.The doctrine of Jaina is older than the Buddhist doctrine.


Also Read : Buddhism in India


MCQs on Jainism - UPSC/ UPPSC (Prelims Booster) :

Que: Which is a CORRECT statement regarding Jainism ?

a. Buddha and Mahavira were contemporaries
b. Jainism not believe in God
c. Founder of Jainism was Mahavira
d. Rishabhadev was 23rd Tirthankaras

✔️ a. Buddha and Mahavira were contemporaries


Que: Who was 23rd Tirthankaras of Jainism ?

a. Rishabhadev
b. Neminatha
c. Parshvanatha
d. Mahavira

✔️ c. Parshvanatha

Que: Consider the following statements regarding Jainism 

I. Preached Non-violence towards all living beings
II. Jainism contributed for the growth of trading community
III. It introduced new philosophy - syatvad

Choose CORRECT statement given above 

a. I Only
b. II Only
c. I & II Only
d. I, II, III

✔️ d. I, II, III


Que: What is symbolises hand with a wheel on palm in Jainism ?

a. Peace
b. Pure Soul
c. Non-violence
d. Ultimate Knowledge

✔️ c. Non-violence

Que: The fifth tenet was propounded by Mahavira.

a. Ahimsa
b. Satya
c. Aparigraha
d. Brahmacharya

✔️ d. Brahmacharya

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