Search Indian Maps, Pincodes, Local Info and more...
Jainism
Jainism a religion advocating Non violence and love towards all living beings in the world.
The word Jainism relates to Sanskrit word JI meaning to triumph over or to win over. One has to fight with the bodily desires and pleasures which is the principle and guidance followed by Jainies. Persons winning this war are termed as the winners or acquirers and Jaina means to refer to these practices of this religion. Jainism has its roots too many days before and Adinatha was the first Thirthankara and Mahavira was the last. The religion which was in great practice in Indian continent during 8th Century CE has been oppressed with the other religions becoming more popular.
History
History speaks that there existed twenty four personnel who spread the faith of Jainism who were known as Thirthankaras. The religion had its traces to 7th Century CE and over 4.2 million people follow this religion in the Indian sub continent and this religion possesses the highest literacy rate and few numbers but worth mentioning are living in Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and United States. Their manuscripts are considered to be the oldest that contains details relating to their origin, their literature, nature of truth, concepts relating to Soul and karma and Tattva, Ethics relating to non violence and self control. The History also contains the details on the Royal patronage for the religion, later the decline of Jainism in the world, various branches and schools of Jainism. Jainism is considered to be a religion belonging to the pre Aryan period in the ancient India.
More Description
Very little theory is available about Rishabha the first Thirthankara and can be related to the Indus Valley Civilization. Also some Vedic literatures have a mention about Rishabha which says about his living during 7000. The twenty third Thirthankara Parsva is the oldest Tirthankar and he lived during 9th Century BCE. 6th Century BCE saw Mahavira as the most significant teachers of Jainism who brought in large number of disciples in to the Jainism fold and Mahavira was referred to by the disciples as jina meaning an acquirer and winner. Jain term has come from Jina. Purva refers to the scriptures in fourteen parts which is coming over ages, and were missed out within say a thousand years after Mahavira’s death because of famine.
Mahavira’s teachings were the base for Janism and contain 46 works, with 12 Angas, twelve Upanga agamas and six chedasutras. These Agamas are said to be missing since the time of famine according to Digambaras and since there is no authentic scriptures, Digambaras make use of 25 scriptures which are the religious practices of Great Acharyas which include two important texts, four pratham Anuyog, three cham Anuyog, four Karan Anuyog and twelve dravya Anuyog.
Jains have created great cultural contribution to Indian philosophy and greatly spread their religion in the states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Jain scholars were also active participants of Sangam period of Tamil culture, and Seevaka Chintamani and Naladiyar are their great contributions. Lingayats in Karnataka were great followers of Jainism dominating the 12th century. Several Gujarati poems and literary works are found on Jainism and they were Rasa genre, Bharateshwar Bahubali Rasa which was more famous during the olden period. Sanskrit literatures and Kosh are also found developed to a great extent. Monks are given freedom to do research work and get them more and more educated. Nuns and Monks in Rajasthan can be seen to have come out with various research works and thus became the most literate community. Patan and Jaisalmer are the famous Jain libraries with number of old manuscripts and Jain literary works.
Photo Gallery