The teachings of lord mahavira lord mahavira was born on march 30, 599 b. Lord parsva is often described as the real founder of jainism. Although scriptural knowledge is very important, access to holy texts has. Thus, unlike buddha, mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith. Tessitory is of opinion that jainism is of a very high order. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourses of the tirthankaras. The jain tradition believes that their religion is eternal, and the teachings of their first tirthankara rishabhanatha were their. While these two divisions of jainism are in broad agreement about the main teachings and practices of the jain tradition, they differ over the. It is called sin or evil, is a major factor in the bondage of jiva. Aside from nonviolence, jainisms main beliefs include a reincarnation cycle dictated by karma, an ethical code known as the three jewels, a commitment to twelve vows and a disbelief in god.
Jains are an important religious community and jainism preaches on different principles of virtue enriching the population. Lord mahavirs immediate disciples were known as ganadharas. Samantabhadra chhah dhala of daulatram atmasiddhi of shri. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email. The jain path of purification was, in addition to the previous work, one of the very first books of its kind to be authored by a jain for the education of those unfamiliar with the jain worldview and way of life. Some of the most important of these subsects still exist, such as the kharatara.
The institute of jainology has begun publishing a learn jainism series to support the material on the learn jainism website. Jainism study guide by georgewong includes 33 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. Considering the central importance of the jinas in jainism as the ultimate source of knowledge, teachings and behaviour it is not surprising that most holy places are closely associated with them. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. Those who have spiritually conquered in the past are called tirthankaras which means makers of the river crossing. In each these 2 cycles which are repeated over and over again, 24 jinas have come into existence. The last of the twentyfour tirthankaras was vardhamana mahavira the great hero, a contemporary of lord buddha, born of royal parents in the year 599 b. Shatkhandagam and dhavala ratna karanda sravakachara of a.
Most are locations where events in the jinas lives occurred. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore knowledge of the. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. This page provides information about important jain texts.
They hold that two texts preserve parts of the purvas or original teachings of the jinas. In jainism, godliness is said to be the inherent quality of every soul. Injury to and killing of livingbeings is a heinous sin and results in terrible punishment. Jainism evokes images of monks wearing facemasks to protect insects and micoorganisms from being inhaled. Jainism is an ancient religion from india that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation.
History of jainism is the history of a religion founded in ancient india. The jinas, especially the 24th, mahavira, are the ultimate source of teaching for all. Introduction to jainisim the universe is eternal, but goes through a cycle continuously. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents.
The legendary accounts of mahaviras life preserved by the jain scriptures. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Jains are an important religious community and jainism preaches on. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. Or of jains sweeping the ground in front of them to ensure that living creatures are not inadvertently crushed. Belief that everything in the universe has a soul and because of this should not be harmed had to take occupations that would not harm any creature tradition of working in trade and. All ganadharas possessed perfect knowledge kevaljnan. The name jainism comes from jina which means conqueror. Buddhist councils jainism and buddhism pdf first council. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. In olden times, monks strictly followed the five great vows of jainism. Start studying religious studies 101 mohammed jainism. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama.
All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. Nonviolence is the supreme religion ahimsa parmo dharma. Karma the mechanism create your own fate hermann kuhn. Jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in. Jain teachings and texts have also been adapted into educational materials for use in pathshala religious studies classes across the country by the jaina. What mahavira has taught ages back still has its significance in modern day life. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of. List of books and articles about jainism online research. The 24th and the last tirthankara was vardhman mahavira symbol. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and svetambara.
On this day monks and nuns will be invited to give teachings to jains from jain writings. Souls, which are believed to be a unique substance in the. Jainism founded by mahavira lived between 599 and 527 b. Jainism began in the 6th century as a reformation movement within hinduism. This shows a time of thinking and ruefulness for a jain believer.
These and other early texts make up their scriptures. This quality, however, is subdued by the souls association with karmic matter. Reincarnation is central to jainism teachings and beliefs. But jainism is different than buddhism in its ascetic beliefs. Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. Mahaviras disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations. The traditional dates of these events given in scriptures form the basis of the religious calendar and festivals. Those who follow the religion believe that a nonviolent life will naturally lead to. The teachings of the twenty four tirthankaras were first composed in fourteen purvas and later in. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through. Divided the teachings of buddha into two pitakasvinaya pitaka and sutta pitaka. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. It is based on the teachings of its founder, mahavira.
An introduction 2009, and the historical dictionary of. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism. Long is professor of religion and asian studies at elizabethtown college, where he has taught since receiving his ph. Swetambar jains have accepted these sutras as authentic versions of his teachings while digambar jains did not accepted as authentic. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. Michael tobias has described nonviolance ahimsa in great details.
Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Believing that a life of selfdenial was the way to achieve enlightenment, mahavira wandered naked and mute through india for 12 years, enduring hardship and abuse. He followed the wellestablished creed of his predecessor tirthankar parshvanath. What are the major rituals, holy days, garments, ceremonies and. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. All souls who have achieved the natural state of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge kevala jnana, infinite power and infinite perception are regarded as god in jainism. Jainism rejects the idea of a creator deity responsible for the. He was born in kundagram district muzaffarpur, bihar in 599 b. And, it may very well be, contrary to the opinions of many anthropologists and students of comparative religion, the oldest living faith. Jainism existed before mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. It is perhaps the most comprehensive and concise book of its kind, and few books on jainism are as. Long is the author of three books a vision for hinduism 2007, jainism.
They orally complied the direct preaching of lord mahavir into twelve main texts sutras. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two main sects have slightly different versions and composition dates. Jain beliefs fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time. Among these five vows, nonviolence ahimsa is the cardinal principle of jainism and hence it is known as the cornerstone of jainism. Jainism is a very popular religion practiced primarily in india, although believers are found across the globe. While the vast majority of jainism s roughly four million followers are based in india, its devotees are found across the world. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism.
Teachings of jainism stress on the ideas of equality, nonviolence, spiritual liberation and selfcontrol. Jainism is an indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twentyfour spiritual teachers known as tirthankara. Time consists in 2 periods, ascending utsarpinee and descending avasarpini. This festival has 8 days of fasting, remorsefulness, and pujas. Rajchandra kalpasutra, acharangacomplete translation searchable texts. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism. The primary reason for the rise of these religions was the religious unrest at that time in the. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. Asrava denotes the inflow of karmic matter by the soul.
We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Religious studies 101 mohammed jainism flashcards quizlet. At rajgriha, in 483 bc under the chairmanship of mehakassaapa king was ajatshatru. The aim of existence is to attain through the triratna of. In both there are lot of holy books in which many are comman. In jainism it has special significance, as on this day in 527 bce according to svetambara tradition that mahavira gave his last teachings and attained ultimate liberation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Samayasara, ratnakaranda sravakacara, and niyamasara.
204 707 1468 715 32 1013 76 146 603 971 585 51 259 1535 1053 514 601 1333 1586 973 8 479 1496 280 1450 984 1070 262 470 1103 1379 1346 522 302 388 468 1364 1097 832 1459 952 1193 748 1362 285