Jainism: Doctrines, Philosophy & Relevance in Contemporary Times
- Context (IE): Mahavir Jayanti, also called Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
About Jainism
- Jainism is an ancient religion based on the teachings of 24 Tirthankaras (or great teachers).
- The word ‘Jain’ is derived from jina or jaina, meaning the ‘conqueror’.
- Rishabnath (or Adinath) was the first Tirthankara and was the founder of Jainism.
- Jainism came into prominence in the 6th century B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
- Lord Mahavira was the 24th and the last Tirthankara.
- Pre-Mahavira Origins: The faith predates Mahavir, with historical validation for Parsvanatha & Mahavir.
Vardhamana Mahavira
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Tirthankaras of Jainism
- Jainism recognises 24 Tirthankaras or enlightened teachers who show the path to liberation.
- The Rig Veda refers to Rishabha and Arishtanemi, indicating ancient roots of Jain tradition.
- Rishabhdeva (1st Tirthankara): Born in Ayodhya to Nabhi and Marudevi, his symbol is the bull, and he attained moksha at Mount Kailash.
- Parshvanatha (23rd Tirthankara): Born in Varanasi, symbol is serpent, attained moksha at Shikharji (Jharkhand), and preached Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha.
- Mahavira (24th Tirthankara): Born in 599 BCE (debatable) in Kundalagrama (Bihar) to King Siddhartha & Queen Trishala. Renounced royal life at age 30; spent 12 years in rigorous asceticism. Travelled across India for 30 years spreading Jain philosophy.
- Expanded Parshvanatha’s teachings by adding Brahmacharya (celibacy) as the fifth vow.
Symbolic and Cultural Expressions
- Jain Emblem: Depicts the universe (Loka), raised hand with Ahimsa symbol, three dots for the Ratnatraya, and a crescent denoting Siddhashila, i.e., abode of liberated souls.
- Panch Parameshti: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, revered in Navkar Mahamantra. Represent progressive stages of spiritual evolution.
- Jina Image Worship: Tirthankara idols depicted in meditative posture (Padmasana or Kayotsarga), denoting detachment and inner purity.
- Ritual Practices: Include Paryushana, of which the last day is Samvatsari (forgiveness day), Pratikramana (introspection ritual) and temple worship.
- Sallekhana: Ritualistic fast unto death; spiritual vow practiced at the end of life to purify karma.
Three Jewels or Triratna in Jainism
- Jainism believes that salvation can be attained by following the three-fold path:
- Right Faith (Samyakdarshana)
- Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)
- Right Action (Samyakcharita)
- One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation.
Five Doctrines of Jainism
- To attain salvation, Jains must follow five doctrines:
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Asteya (not stealing)
- Aparigraha (non-acquisition)
- Brahmacharya (chaste living) — propounded by Mahavira.
Fundamental Jain Philosophy
- Panch Mahavratas (Five Great Vows): Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), Aparigraha (non-possession).
- Triratna or Three Gems: Right Faith (Samyag-darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyag-jnana), Right Conduct (Samyag-charitra).
- Anekantavada and Syadavada: Reality is manifold & complex. Hence, relative truth applies.
- Spiritual Detachment: Material body states (childhood, youth, old age) are illusionary; true identity lies in the soul.
- Everything has substance (dravya), quality (guna), and mode (paryaya), reflecting constant change.
- Dravya (Substances): Six eternal categories- Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Dharma (motion), Adharma (rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time).
- Guna (Qualities): Every Dravya possesses inherent and permanent attributes (Gunadharma) that determine its nature and behavior.
- Paryaya (Modes): Temporary states or modifications of substances; all things constantly change without losing their essential identity.
- Doctrine of Jiva & Ajiva: Jiva (soul) is eternal & conscious; Ajiva (non-soul) includes matter, space, time.
- Soul (Jiva): Every soul possesses infinite knowledge, faith, bliss & power (anantacatustaya).
- Types of Knowledge: Mati Jnana (sensory perception), Sruta Jnana (scriptural knowledge), Avadhi Jnana (clairvoyance), Manahparyaya Jnana (telepathy) & Kevala Jnana (omniscience).
- Anantacatustaya (Four Infinities): An omniscient soul possesses four infinite attributes, i.e., Ananta Jnana (infinite knowledge), Ananta Darshana (infinite perception), Ananta Sukha (infinite bliss), and Ananta Virya (infinite energy).
- Soul (Jiva): Every soul possesses infinite knowledge, faith, bliss & power (anantacatustaya).
- Karma and Rebirth: Subtle karmic matter binds the soul; even unintentional acts generate karma; hence occupations causing harm are avoided, eg, agriculture, animal transport, and related trades.
- Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) by shedding Karmic particles.
- Ascetic Traditions: Extreme asceticism, fasting & meditation are means of liberation (Kaivalya).
- Steps to Kaivalya: Asrav (influx of karmas), Samvara (stoppage of karmic inflow), Nirjara (shedding of karmas) and Kaivalya or Kevala Jnana (attainment of omniscience).
- Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) by shedding Karmic particles.
Anekantavada
Syadvada
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Jaina Councils
| Councils | Year | Place | President | Outcome |
| 1st | 300 BCE | Pataliputra (Present day Patna) | Sthalbhadra | Teachings of Mahavira compiled into 12 Angas to replace lost 14 purvas |
| 2nd | 512 CE | Vallabhi (Gujarat) | Devarddhi Kshamashramana | Final compilations of 12 Angas and 12 upangas |
Sects of Jainism
- There are two major sects in Jainism: Digambaras (sky-clad) and Svetambaras (white-clad).
| Digambaras | Svetambaras |
| Believes in complete nudity, and males do not wear clothes. Female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees and are called Aryikas. | Monks wear simple white clothing and carry a begging bowl, a brush to remove insects from their path, books and writing materials with them. |
| Follow the preachings of Mahavira, i.e., they believe in all five constraints (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya). | Follow the preachings of Parshvanatha, i.e., they believe in only four constraints (except Brahmacharya). |
| Bhadrabahu was an exponent of the Digambara sect, and he moved to Karnataka along with his disciples after predicting a long famine. | Sthulabhadra was an exponent of the Svetambara sect, and he and his disciples stayed in Magadha. |
| Believe that women cannot be Tirthankaras and say that Malli was a man. | Believe Tirthankaras can be men or women, and say that Malli began her life as a princess. |
| Believe that Tirthankaras did not marry. | Believe that the 23rd & 24th Tirthankara did marry. |
| Monasticism rules are more rigid. | Monasticism rules are less rigid. |
| Sub-sects: Mula Sangh, Terapanthi, Taranpathi, and Bispanthi | Sub-sects: Sthanakavasi and Murtipujaka |
Sacred Texts and Literature
- Agamas: Canonical Jain scriptures; teachings compiled by Ganadharas (chief disciples) based on Mahavira’s discourses.
- Shvetambara Canon: 12 Angas (Principal canonical scriptures; Eg, Acharanga Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra), Upangas, Prakirnas, Cheda Sutras, and Mula Sutras.
- Written in Ardh-Magadhi Language; compiled at Pataliputra and later in Valabhi.
- 14 Purvas: Earlier texts, now mostly lost.
- Charitas: Hagiographies like Kalpa Sutra, Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Charitra, and Mahapurana by Jinasena, chronicling the lives of Tirthankaras and other ideal beings.
- Puranas: Adi Purana (life of Rishabha), Harivamsha Purana (Jain version of Mahabharata), Parishishtaparvan by Hemachandra (history and politics).
- Tattvartha Sutra: Foundational Jain philosophical text authored by Umasvati, accepted by both Digambara and Svetambara sects.
- Samayasara: Core spiritual text by Acharya Kundakunda emphasising nature of soul & self-realization.
Jain Pilgrimage
- Tirthankar Circuit under Swadesh Darshan: Ministry of Tourism is developing religious tourism circuits including Jain Tirthankar sites in Bihar- Vaishali, Arrah, Masad, Patna, Rajgir, Pawapuri, Champapuri.
- Promote spiritual tourism & cultural heritage through centrally sponsored theme-based circuits.
Relevance of Jainism in Contemporary Times
- Navkar Mahamantra: The most revered chant in Jainism, offering homage to Panch Parmeshti.
- Emphasizes spiritual enlightenment, ethical living, inner transformation and Jain principles of non-violence, humility and truth-seeking.
- Wisdom in the Information Age: Jainism urges balancing knowledge with wisdom and using the Navkar Mahamantra as a moral compass to guide youth in blending technology with human values.
- Relevance of Anekantavada: PM underscored Anekantavada’s role in reducing conflicts by fostering empathy and acceptance of multiple perspectives rooted in the doctrine of non-absolutism.
- Mission LiFE and Jain Ideals: Promotes sustainable lifestyles as climate solutions, aligning with Jain principles of simplicity, Aparigraha and ecological restraint.
- Jainism’s Relevance to Global Problems:
- Jainism offers scientific, sensitive solutions to war, terrorism, and environmental issues through its principles of interdependence, non-violence and ecological ethics.
- Embodies ethical living through Ratnatraya (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct), Daslakshan (ten virtues), Solah Karan (sixteen attributes leading to liberation) and festivals like Paryushan that foster penance, introspection and social unity.
Panch Parmeshti
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- Nine Resolutions for a Harmonious Future were adopted at the event.
- Include mindful water use, planting trees in mothers’ names, community cleanliness, supporting local products, exploring India’s heritage, adopting natural farming, embracing a healthy lifestyle, practicing daily yoga and sports, and helping the poor with compassion.
“How Humankind Came To Be
…New Year’s would normally be a time for sharing a few pleasant remarks about the occasion. But I am seeing imminent danger approaching humanity, and have been called upon by divine beings to pass along, for this reason, several things to everyone in this world. Each of what I am about to disclose is a higher, closely guarded secret, and these are being shared to provide a true picture of affairs, and to give people another chance at salvation…
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“Why the Creator Seeks to Save All Life
…The Creator is the Lord of all divine beings in the Cosmos. He is the maker of the Lord of lords, of the King of kings, and He is the Sovereign of all lives—including the Three Realms’ human lives, spiritual beings, and material things, all of which He made. His love is the highest and most sacred blessing for all lives! There is no greater honor for any person in this world than to be loved by Him!”
New articles by Master Li Hongzhi on Minghui website