HISTORY AND CIVICS

JAINISM

SUB TOPICS:

• Life of Mahavira
• Search for Truth
• Teachings of Mahavira
• Subsects of Jainism
• Relevance of the Religion/ Teachings Today

THE GREAT PREACHERS

During ancient times, religion played a very important role in people’s lives. However, by the 6th century
BCE, the religious practices in India had become very complicated and difficult for ordinary people to follow.
The Vedic religion, which was once simple and based on nature worship, had turned into a system filled
with costly rituals, superstitions, and oppressive customs. The Brahmins (priests) held a lot of power, and
they often used religion to control people and increase their own wealth and status.

The caste system had also become very rigid. People from lower castes, especially the Shudras, were treated
unfairly. They were not allowed to study religious texts or even recite prayers in Sanskrit. This made life very
difficult for them, and many people began to feel that religion was no longer about spirituality but about
power and money.

It was during this time that two great spiritual leaders emerged: Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama
Buddha. Both of them saw the problems in society and decided to teach people a new way of living. They
wanted to bring back simplicity, equality, and kindness to religion. Their teachings led to the birth of two new
religions: Jainism and Buddhism.

JAINISM: VARDHAMANA MAHAVIRA

EARLY LIFE AND SEARCH FOR TRUTH

Vardhamana Mahavira is regarded as the most important teacher of Jainism. He was the 24th and last
Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of the Jains. His life story is a journey of sacrifice, self -discovery, and spiritual
enlightenment. Mahavira was born in 540 BCE in Kundagrama, a village near Vaishali in present-day Bihar,
India. He was born into a Kshatriya (warrior) family and lived a life of luxury and comfort as a prince.

Despite being surrounded by wealth and privilege, Vardhamana felt restless and unsatisfied. At the age of 30,
he made a life-changing decision to leave his royal life behind. He gave up his family, wealth, and comfort to
become an ascetic—a person who lives a simple life without material possessions. This marked the beginning
of his spiritual journey, as he set out to search for the truth about life and existence.

For the next 12 years, Vardhamana wandered from place to place, practicing extreme penance (self-
discipline) and meditation. He faced many hardships, including hunger, thirst, and harsh weather, but he
remained focused on his goal. After years of intense meditation, he finally attained spiritual knowledge and
became a Jina, which means "conqueror of self." This is why his followers are called Jains, and his teachings
are known as Jainism.

Vardhamana Mahavira’s early life teaches us the importance of sacrifice and self-discipline in the pursuit of
truth. His decision to leave a life of luxury shows that material wealth does not bring true happiness. Instead,
peace comes from understanding the deeper meaning of life. His journey inspires us to live a life of simplicity
and to seek knowledge and truth.

Key Terms and Definitions:

• Tirthankara : A Tirthankara is a spiritual teacher in Jainism who shows people the right way to live
and achieve freedom from suffering. There have been 24 Tirthankaras, and Vardhamana Mahavira was
the last one.

• Kshatriya : Kshatriya is the second caste in the traditional Hindu caste system. It is the warrior caste,
and people from this group were often kings, soldiers, or rulers. Mahavira was born into a Kshatriya
family.

• Ascetic : An ascetic is someone who gives up all worldly pleasures, like money, comfort, and luxury,
to live a simple and disciplined life, often for spiritual or religious reasons.

• Jina : Jina means "conqueror of self." It is a title given to someone who has overcome their inner
desires and attachments. Vardhamana Mahavira became a Jina after years of meditation and self -
discipline.

TEACHINGS OF MAHAVIRA

1. Ahimsa (Non-Violence):

o Do not harm any living being, including animals, insects, and plants.

2. Rejection of Rituals:

o Opposed costly sacrifices, yagnas, and meaningless rituals.

o Did not accept the authority of the Vedas.

3. Equality:

o Believed all people are equal and rejected the caste system.

4. No Belief in God:

o Did not believe in the existence of God.

5. Karma and Rebirth:

o A person’s soul is reborn based on their karma (actions).

o The goal of life is to achieve moksha (freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth).
 6. Triratna (Three Jewels):

o To achieve moksha, follow the three jewels:

▪ Right Knowledge
▪ Right Belief
▪ Right Conduct (includes ahimsa and hard penance).

Key Terms and Definitions:

• Moksha : Moksha means freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is the ultimate goal in
Jainism, where the soul is liberated from all suffering.

• Ahimsa : Ahimsa means non-violence. It is the practice of not harming any living being, including
humans, animals, insects, and even plants.

• Penance : Penance means self-discipline or suffering to purify the soul. It involves giving up comforts
and practicing strict control over one’s desires.

SUBSECTS OF JAINISM

◆ SUBSECTS OF JAINISM:

After the death of Vardhamana Mahavira, Jainism was divided into two main
subsects: Digambaras and Svetambaras. These subsects have some differences in their practices and
beliefs, but both follow the core teachings of Mahavira.

1. DIGAMBARAS (SKY-CLAD):

• Meaning: The word "Digambara" means "sky-clad," which refers to their practice of not wearing any
clothes.

• Practices:
o Digambara monks do not wear clothes as a symbol of giving up all worldly possessions.
o They follow a very strict and simple lifestyle, including hard penance and self -discipline.
o They believe that women cannot achieve moksha (liberation) unless they are reborn as men.

• Beliefs:
o They follow the original teachings of Mahavira very strictly.
o They believe that Mahavira never married and lived a life of complete renunciation.

2. SVETAMBARAS (WHITE-CLAD):

• Meaning: The word "Svetambara" means "white-clad," which refers to their practice of wearing white
clothes.

• Practices:
o Svetambara monks and followers wear simple white clothes.
 o They do not believe in extreme penance or physical suffering like the Digambaras.
o They believe that women can achieve moksha without being reborn as men.

• Beliefs:
o They accept some changes in the teachings and practices of Jainism over time.
o They believe that Mahavira was married before he became an ascetic.

◆ KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIGAMBARAS AND SVETAMBARAS:

Aspect Digambaras Svetambaras

Clothing Do not wear any clothes. Wear white clothes.

Penance Practice extreme penance. Do not believe in extreme penance.

Women’s Moksha Women must be reborn as men. Women can achieve moksha directly.

Mahavira’s Life Believe he never married. Believe he was married.

◆ SPREAD OF JAINISM:

• Both subsects played an important role in spreading Jainism across India.

• Jain monks lived in monasteries and preached in Prakrit, the language of the common people.
• Many kings supported Jainism, and it became popular among traders and merchants.

Key Terms and Definitions:

• Prakrit : Prakrit is an ancient language that was spoken by common people in India a long time ago.
It was much simpler than Sanskrit, which was the language of scholars and priests.

RELEVANCE OF THE RELIGION

◆ ADOPTION BY KINGS:

• Several kings in ancient India adopted Jainism as their state religion. This royal support helped
Jainism grow and flourish.
• When kings supported Jainism, it gained more followers and respect, and its teachings spread to
different parts of the country.

◆ JAIN ART AND ARCHITECTURE:

• Under the patronage of these kings, Jain art and architecture reached great heights.
• One of the most famous examples of Jain architecture is the Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu,
Rajasthan.
o This temple is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful sculptures, which showcase the
skill and creativity of Jain artists.
o The temple is made of white marble and is considered one of the finest examples of Jain
craftsmanship.
◆ JAIN LITERATURE:

• Jainism has a rich collection of religious texts.

• The Purvas and the Angas are important Jain scriptures that contain the teachings of Mahavira and
other Tirthankaras.
• These texts were written in Prakrit, the language of the common people, making them accessible to
a wider audience.

◆ JAINISM TODAY:

• Jainism continues to have a large following, especially among the trading communities in states
like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• The principles of Jainism, such as ahimsa (non-violence) and simplicity, still influence the lives of its
followers.

Key Terms and Definitions:

• Purvas : The Purvas are ancient Jain scriptures that contain the earliest teachings of Jainism. They
were originally passed down orally and later written down. These texts include important lessons
about non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and self-discipline.

• Angas : The Angas are the main religious texts of Jainism. They contain the teachings of Mahavira,
the 24th Tirthankara, and explain how to live a good and peaceful life. The Angas cover topics
like ethics, philosophy, and spiritual practices.