Jainism: Doctrines, Philosophy & Relevance in Contemporary Times

Context (IE): Mahavir Jayanti, also called Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24^th 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 6^th century B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
Lord Mahavira was the 24^th and the last Tirthankara.
Pre-Mahavira Origins: The faith predates Mahavir, with historical validation for Parsvanatha & Mahavir.

Vardhamana Mahavira

Vardhamana was born in 599 B.C. in a village called Kundagram near Vaishali (Bihar).
- Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrated on 13^th day of Chaitra month.
  - Commemorates the birth of Mahavir. He added Brahmacharya as the fifth core vow of Jainism. The other four are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-stealing), & Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness).
He was a Kshatriya prince, and his father, Siddhartha, was the head of the Jnatrika clan.
His mother, Trishala, was a Lichchhavi princess. She was the sister of Chetaka, the king of Vaishali.
At the age of 30 years, he renounced his home and became an ascetic.
After 12 years of austerity, he attained Kaivalya (perfect knowledge) at the age of 42 years on the banks of Rijupalika River. He passed away at the age of 72 years in 468 B.C. at Pavapuri in Bihar.
Titles of Vardhamana: Mahavira, meaning the great hero; Jaina or Jitendriya, meaning one who conquers all his senses; Nirgrantha, meaning one who is free from all bonds.
Considered the 24^th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism.

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 (1^st Tirthankara): Born in Ayodhya to Nabhi and Marudevi, his symbol is the bull, and he attained moksha at Mount Kailash.
Parshvanatha (23^rd Tirthankara): Born in Varanasi, symbol is serpent, attained moksha at Shikharji (Jharkhand), and preached Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha.
Mahavira (24^th 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.

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Three Jewels or Triratna in Jainism

Jainism believes that salvation can be attained by following the three-fold path:
1. Right Faith (Samyakdarshana)
2. Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)
3. 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:
1. Ahimsa (non-violence)
2. Satya (truthfulness)
3. Asteya (not stealing)
4. Aparigraha (non-acquisition)
5. 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).
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).

Anekantavada

It is the doctrine that the ultimate truth and reality are complex and have multiple aspects.
It believes in non-absolutism or pluralism, which means no single, specific statement can describe the nature of existence and the absolute truth.

Syadvada

It is the doctrine that all judgments are conditional, holding good only in certain conditions, circumstances, or senses.
According to it, ways of looking at a thing (called naya) are infinite in number, so there will be infinite judgments. Hence, all judgments are relative.

Samvatsari is an auspicious day for the Jain community. It is celebrated as the last day of the Paryushan festival. During this day, people say “Michami Dukkadam” and seek forgiveness from others.
Paryushan festival is a festival for Jains during which they reflect on their lives and seek forgiveness from those they have wronged.
- Shwetambars celebrate it for eight days and Digambars for ten.
- It emphasises the protection of all living beings and encourages self-realisation and self-control.
Pratikraman: It is a process during which Jains repent for their sins during their daily life and remind themselves not to repeat them.
- The five types of Pratikaman include Devasi, Rayi, Pakhi, Chaumasi, and Samvatsari.

Jaina Councils

Councils	Year	Place	President	Outcome
1^st	300 BCE	Pataliputra (Present day Patna)	Sthalbhadra	Teachings of Mahavira compiled into 12 Angas to replace lost 14 purvas
2^nd	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 23^rd & 24^th 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

Arihants: Enlightened beings with Keval Gyan who guide aspirants and embody 12 divine qualities.
Siddhas: Liberated souls who have shed all 8 karmas, attained Moksha & possess 8 pure attributes.
Acharyas: Spiritual heads who uphold Mahavrat, lead others on the path, and embody 36 virtues.
Upadhyayas: Knowledge bearers who teach Moksha path scriptures & possess 25 spiritual qualities.
Sadhus: Renunciants who advance through penance & self-discipline and reflect 27 noble qualities.

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.

One comment

Dharia

December 10, 2025 / 7:37 PM Reply

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