THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAIN TEACHINGS OF JAINISM
- Laldanmawia
In the 16th Century BC, we have seen the awakening of new religion in India. During this time the Vedic Civilization was flourished in the Northern part. People were worshipping the Vedic Religions. It was numerous of ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices, but in the beginning is simple. Common people underwent the hardship to follow this costly practices of the religion. But the Royal families and Priestly classes become so powerful and they began to worship the religion without having understanding upon the common classes. So, the common masses could not afford the existence of such kinds of discrimination. They are forced to seek another simple religions which could give them inspiration and comfort.
Fortunately, on that matter, new religions were came out from the philosophy of two great men Mahavira and Gautama Buddha from Ksatryas clan. The so called Jainism and Buddhism became very popular among Indians as well as neighbouring countries. These religions provided the need of the people of that time. One of them, The JAINISM with its development and teachings is as follows. . .
FOUNDER
The early teachings of Jains were attributed to Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankaras or prophets. But we knew that the real founder of Jainism was no doubt Vardhaman Mahavira, who was the 24th Tirthankaras. By reforming, spreading and popularizing of his predecessor’s teachings, the new religion was founded.
Mahavira was born in 599 BC at Kundagrama near Vaishali in North Bihar. (Some scholars said that he was born in 540 BC and died in 468 BC. But most of Historians and most of historical books accept 599 BC and 527 BC respectively). His father Siddhartha was the head of the Ksatrya clan. His mother was Lichchhavi princess. Mahavira was the contemporary of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.[1] He had a beautiful wife and daughter. He grew up at Royal family and living with wealth and luxury. But he felt that the Earth is full of pleasures and luxuries. By abandoning these, human being could have real liberation. His parents were passed away and with the consent of his elder brother, he left the Palace to search truth at the age of 30. He remained away for 12 long years. he became ascetic and wandering from places to place.
After long time journey to search truth, at last, he attained Kaivelya (knowledge) at the age of 42, while he was sitting under the sal tree. Then he conquered both Misery and Happiness and he became enlightened for the fulfillment of his seek and hope. He repulsed all the world’s bondages and worldly things. Now he was called Jina (the conqueror) and his followers became the Jainas. Then he started traveling and propagating his new doctrines of new Religion. And, he continued for the next 30 years of his life. He always lived in different cities like Champa, Vaishali, Mithila and Saraswati.[2] He died at the age of 72 in 468 BC. During his lifetime, it was said that he had over14,000 deciples.
Jainism was the reformation of Vedic Brahmanical religions. “The
certain elements of Jaina faiths were older than Rig Veda”. It is an independent religion of India. According to P.S. Daniel, at the book “Religious Tradition of India”, the origin of Jainism was not cleared. Its teachings were taught by Tirthankaras. He did not mentioned Mahavira as the founder of Jainism, but as only the reformer and the renovator of that faith, which was taught first by Rsaba, first Tirthankara and his succeeding Tirthankaras. Nevertheless, most of the Scholars and learners opined that Lord Mahavira was the reformer of Hindu Religion and the real founder of Jainism.
Jainism became very popular in the North Eastern part of India. It was raised up and spread due to the following reasons :-
1) Complexity in Vedic Religion:[3] The Vedic Bramanical Religion is ritualistic. Common masses faced burden for many times on their sacrifices and ceremonies. It could not satisfy the need of the masses. So that people looked for new religion on that time.[4]
2) Rituals and Sacrifices: The Vedic religion was simply in the origin, but it lost its simplicity. Many expensive rituals and sacrifices were started. The killing of animals for sacrificing, sometime killing of human being dissatisfied people.
3) Caste System: Caste system was practiced on these days. The lower classes were very much treated with contempt. They couldn’t change their castes, the untouchability class people were very low in the mind of high people, which make discrimination on the religion.
4) Difficult Language: All the religious books of Vedic period were written in Sanskrit. The common people could hardly understand and follow it.[5]
5) Birth of Great men: The birth of two great men from Royal family such as Mahavira and Gautama Buddha gave birth to new religion.
The followers of Jainism called Jainas were divided into two sects – Svetambaras and digambaras. There was a difference between them according to their cloths. Svetambaras sects wear white cloths whereas the other wear no cloths. But wearing no cloths was more concern a bout the preacher not house holders. They also have difference in food and for about accepting the books of 12 Angas.[6]
Jainism had several sacred books. Among those, 12 Angas were much popular. Rules and regulations were written there. There were another 12 books of Upangas, 10 books of Prakirnas, 6 books of Chheda Sutras and some other books.[7]
MAIN TEACHINGS
It had 5 (five) important doctrines those were much necessary to attaint freedom or salvation from misery of world. They were:-
(i) Do not commit violence.
(ii) Do not speak a lie.
(iii) Do not steal.
(iv) Do not acquire properties (worldly things).
(v) Observed continent.
Apart from the five basic Doctrines, There were other so called the principles and teachings of Jainism emphasized by Mahavira.
1) They did not believe in the existence of god or a superior spirit to be worshipped. But later, the followers worship the images of Mahavira as god.
2) The main aim of their life was the attainment of liberation from extreme misery of World. According to them the man was the maker of his destiny, no superior or no god involved in it. Attainment of such liberation and freedom from worldly things could be obtained through the Tri-Ratna or three jewels. Right Knowledge, Right Faith and Right Action were the Tri-Ratna.[8]
3) Jainism gave utmost important to the principle of Ahimsa (non violence). As it is emphasized, most of the Jainas abandoned agriculture and rearing of animals, and thus mainly concentrated to trade and mercantile activities. They should avoid killing or injuring animals, human beings, insects and other living beings. It is the great sin if they involved in such kinds.
4) Jainism attacked the caste system that occurred in that time. They opposed to the riots and ritual sacrifices of Bramanical religion. They preached a simple way of faith and living. They considered that all men are equal in birth.
5) The followers appreciated very much those who persecuted themselves because of their religious practices. They gave admired to the person those who starved till dead, they guess that they were reliable and constant men to the Religion.[9]
6) Jainism gave respect to women. Women occupied high privilege at the religion. There was no restriction against men. Many women were emphasized by the teachings of Mahavira and converted into it.
7) They believed in the Theory of Karma or Reincarnation.[10] According to them, a man will get the effects of his past actions and feelings. The present deeds will determine the life when reborn. So, they must always do good, noble acts and good conduct in life.
8) Moksha or Nirvana is the highest goal for human.[11] They could attain this when a man was free from the cycle of birth and death, when his soul gets deliverance from karmas.[12] Man will reborn for many times according to their doing, and when he could have the highest knowledge, he would be free from birth and death, and would attain Moksha or Nirvana.
Jainism did not spread to outside India as like as Buddhism. But in India, it was one of the big religions which had plenty of followers. It spread to Malwa, Gujarat, Sindh and other North Eastern part of India. However, it started to deteriorate as times going on. It becomes little and little. Beside this, till today some faithful followers are stayed on these states and provinces. They always follow and practice the teachings of Jainism…
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lunya, Bn. Evolution of Indian Culture. Agra: Lakshmi Narain
Agarwal,2007.
Malhotra, SD.History of India. New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot,
2003.
Daniel, PS., David C. Scott, and G.R.Singh. Religious
Traditions of India. Delhi: The ISPCK, 1988.
Choudhary, SC. History of India. Delhi: Sarjeet Publication,
2008.
Hnamte, Laltanpuia. India History. Aizawl: Mizoram Publication
Board, 2005.
[1] BN. Lunya, Evolution of Indian Culture (Agra: Lakshmi Narain Agarwal, 2007), 96.
[2] Laltanpuia Hnamte, India Histiry (Aizawl: Mizoram Publication Board, 2005), 160.
[3] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 92.
[4] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 92.
[5] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 93.
[6] L. Prasad, Evolution of Indian Culture (Agra: Laksmi Narain Agarwal, 1991), 33.
[7] SC. Choudhary, History of India (Delhi: Sarjeet Publication, 2008), 108-109.
[8] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 93.
[9] Laltanpuia Hnamte, India History (Aizawl: Mizoram Publication Board, 2005), 162.
[10] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 107.
[11] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 107.
[12] SD. Malhotra, History of India (New Delhi: Malhotra Book Depot, 2003), 94.
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