Jainism and its Council

Jainism is a word derived from the word “Jina” which means liberator or victor. This religion talks about liberation, spiritual purity, and enlightenment through nonviolence. Jains worship a group of 24 people who are known as Tirthankara. First Tirthankara was Rishabha Natha   and 24th was Mahavira.

Causes of Origin:

•  It is during the 6th century that religion became important, and Hinduism become rigid and orthodox either complex rituals and dominance by Brahmins. 
• Society was divided into four varnas, Brahmans and Rashtriya had the highest status, they were exempted from tax and punishment.
•  Vaishyas were principal taxpayers and sudra and Vaishyas were in the category of dvija who can’t wear the sacred thread and kept out from studying Vedas.
•  Lower varnas were treated as untouchables, cruel, and greedy.
•  The agricultural economy was growing due to iron. It needed a bullock cart and animal husbandry, but the killing practice of animals was not allowed in Vedic cultures.
•  The introduction of coins influenced trade and commerce and enriched the importance of Vaishyas. 

Vardhaman Mahavira:

• He was the 24th and last Tirthankara, born in Kundagram near Vaishali in 540 BC.
• He was from the jnatrika clan. His Father’s name was Siddharth, who was chief of the Kshatriya clan and his mother Trishala was the sister of the chetka, the king of Vaishali. 
• He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter named Anja.
• He renounced his home and became Ascetic at the age of 30. practiced austerity for 12 years and highest spiritual knowledge (Kaivalya) at the age of 42.
• He delivered his first sermon at Pava and died at the age of 72 at pavapuri in 468 BC.
• Jainism teaching includes rejection of principles of the Vedic culture, non -the existence of god, and how karma rewards and punish. 

Tenants of Jainism:

 Three jewels or Triratna:

• Right Faith (Samyakadarshsan) 
• Right Knowledge (Samyakjana)
• Right Action ( Samyakacharita)

 Five doctrines of Jainism:

• Ahimsa- Non-injury to a living being.
• Satya- Do not speak a lie Asteya- Do not steal
• Aparigraha- Do not acquire property 
• Brahmacharya- observe continence

Concept of God:

• Universe is everlasting, it has neither beginning nor end. 
• Every entity transforms or changes its form constantly and nothing can be created or destroyed in the universe. 
• Religion of Jainism does not believe in the presence of God as a creator, survivor, or destroyer of the universe. 
• When an individual destroys all his karmas, his souls, and liberates. Liberates soul possess endless knowledge, endless vision, and infinite power.

 Sects/Schools of Jainism:

Digambaras	Shvetambaras
It means skyclad. They stressed white-clad nudism for salvation.	It means white clad. They were against nudism.
These sects represent Jains who shifted to the south under Bhadrabahu.	This sect represents the Jains who stayed back in Magadha under Sthulabhadra.
They believe women does not have the power to attain liberation and in the next birth, they need to be born as a man to attain liberation.	This sect believed in the capability of women.
Digambar refuse to accept the accomplishment of the first council.	The shvetambaras believed in council legitimacy.
Digambar discarded Mahavira’s marriage and his life of 30 years with his parents.	They accepted Mahavira normal life for 30 years.
They believed that in attaining enlightenment an all-knowing person does not encounter hunger, thirst, or sleep.	They believed in the basic human necessity of food.

Philosophy of Jainism:

• Anekantavada- The substance has endless modes of presence and qualities and it can only be understood by kevalins can understand them in all aspects.
• Syadavada- All judgments are conditional and they are good only under certain conditions and circumstances. Reality is complicated.
• Nayavada- It is assumptions of partial standpoints or perspectives. It denotes the system of explaining reality from several points. Sects/schools of Jainism:

Jain literature:

•  Agam literature- Direct preaching of Lord Mahavira compiled by his followers. Those compiled by Gandharas are known as Ang-agama and those by shrutakevalin are Ang-Bahay-agams.
•  Non-Agam literature- These consist of commentaries and explanations of Agam literature. 

Council of Jains:

First Jain Council:

• It was held at Pataliputra in the 3rd century, 160 yrs after Mahavira’s death under the presidency of Sthulbhadra.  
• Jainism spread into shvetambaras and Digambaras .
• The Jains classified Mahavira’s teaching into 12 angas.

Second Jain Council:

•  It was held at Vallabhi and Mathura in 512 A.D. and was presided by Devardhi kshmasramana.
•  It was known for the final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

Spread of Jainism: 

• Mahavira accepted both men and women.
•  Jainism didn’t mark itself other than Hinduism, so it easily spread the reason why Brahmanism was weak.
•  Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya, during his last years, became Jain and promoted Jainism. 

Conclusion:

Jainism introduced itself as an attempt to reform the evils of the Varna system. It brought the spirit of tolerance. It was in parallel with Buddhism but they had basic differences like the theory of transmigration and opinion on the varna system. Jainism provided lower class respect and helped them in their financial growth through trade and commerce.