Jainism History Vardhamana Mahavira Biography Teachings

Jainism History Vardhamana Mahavira Biography Teachings: Vardhamana was the principal founder of the Jainism. The Jainism is one of the important religion in ancient India. Vardhamana Mahavira was born in 540 BC in Kundagrama near Vaishai. Vardhamana belongs to Jantri kshatriya clan. His father was Siddhartha and mother Thrishala. He married Yashoda and has a daugher named Jamili. Vardhamana Mahaveira was the contemporary of the Goutama Buddha.

Jainism- Introduction:

The ideas followed by jains constitute Jainism. They followed Jina . The meaning of Jain is the conqueror.
Vardhamana was given the name for conquering misery. He is also called Mahaveera.

Mahavira Biography

Birth: Kundagrama near vaishali ( Jantri kshatriya clan) in 540 BC
Death: Pavapuri , 408 BC
Father: Siddhartha
Mother: Trishala
Wife: Yashoda
Daughter: Jamili
Under a SAL tree Mahavira attained Kaivalya on the bank of Rijupalika River.

The Important ideas of Jainism:

The essential Ideas of Jainism are
Non- violence
Truth
Non stealing
Not acquiring property
Observe Continence (Brahmacharya)
Pravasa was the 23rd Thirthankara proposed the first four ideas.
Vardhamana was 24th Thirthankara added then Brahmacharya.
Rishba was the first Thirthankara
These are 24th Thirthankaras in Jainism.
Jainism main target was attaining of siddha Sila (Blissful abode).
Siddha Sila is a Threefold Path.
It contains
1.Right belief
2. Right knowledge
3. Right action.
To gain Siddha sila no ritual activity is required.

Origin Spread of Jainism Causes

Spread of Jainism Important Factors:

Vaisyas who were unhappy with varna system that they were in the third position when though they were rich in the society
Jainism used people language that is Pvakrith
Chandra guptha Maurya , and Chalukyas helped to the Jainism to get the popularity

Limited popularity of Jainism- Reasons

The ideas of Jainism are very difficult to follow
Extreme austerity and nudity are the main drawbacks and the extreme
Ahimsa – they hadn’t even allowed tilling of soils
Jains accepted the Brahmins services
Also adopted idol worship
These two ideals were blurred the difference between Brahmanism and Jainism.
During the early medieval time jains adopted Sanskrit and left Sanskrit.
So common people alienated.
Reform of Brahmanism.

Jainism-contributions

Jains contributed to the education
Hemachandra was a great grammarian and poet who lived in 12 century AD.
In 14th century Nayachandra was a great Sanskrit poet.
Jains paid a great contribution to the literature
Jains monasteries have stored a lot of rare works of monasteries, and religious books
They developed many languages by adopting preaching and writing of their works
Bhilwara Jain Temple located at Mound Abes resembles the architecture and Sculpture of Jains
The Temple at Palithana in Gujarat in also one of their contruction.
The 57 feet gigantic and magnificient Gomateshwara statue located at Sravana Belagola in Karnataka in also one of the great contribution of Jains.

The Councils of Jainism

Jainism First Council:

Pataliputra – 4th century BC

Jainism Second Council:

Valabhi- 5th to 6th century Jaina Scriptures final compilation.
Old Jaina literature contains 14 PURAS
After compilation 12 ANGAS

Jainism – Schism:

Digambaras – the sky clad
Shvetambaras – the white clad.