Jainism Notes with PDF

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I. Tirthankaras (Founders & Liberated Souls)

A. Definition & Role

• A spiritual teacher who has achieved liberation and shows the path to others.
• The concept is specific to the Jain religion.
• There are 24 Tirthankaras in total.

B. Chronological Order & Key Figures

• 1st: Rishabhdev (Adinath)
  • Symbol: Bull
  • Nirvana Site: Ashtapad, near Mount Kailash
• 4th: Abhinandananatha
  • Symbol: Monkey
• 6th: Padmaprabha
  • Symbol: Lotus
• 12th: Vasupujya
  • Nirvana Site: Champapuri
• 13th: Vimalanatha
  • Symbol: Boar
• 16th: Shantinatha
  • Symbol: Deer
• 19th: Mallinatha
  • Symbol: Water Jar
• 20th: Munisuvrata
  • Symbol: Tortoise
• 23rd: Parshvanath
  • Symbol: Snake
  • Birthplace: Varanasi
  • Kevala Jnana Site: Near Varanasi
  • Nirvana Site: Sammed Shikhar
• 24th: Mahavira Swami
  • Symbol: Lion
  • Birthplace: Kundagram (near Vaishali)
  • Nirvana Site: Pavapuri

II. Core Concepts & Terminology

A. The Path to Liberation

• Triratna (Three Jewels):
  1. Samyak Darshana (Right Faith)
  2. Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge)
  3. Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct)
• Vows:
  • Mahavratas: The five great vows for ascetics (non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness).
  • Anuvratas: Lesser versions of the vows for lay followers (householders).

B. Key States & Goals

• Kaivalya: The term for “Complete Knowledge” or “Enlightenment.” Mahavira is known as a Kevalin for attaining it.
• Nirvana/Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

C. Philosophical Doctrines

• Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism): The core philosophy; the doctrine of multiple viewpoints stating reality is complex.
• Syadvada (Saptabhangi Naya): The theory of conditional predication (“maybe”); the method of expressing Anekantavada.
• Concept of the Universe: The world is not created by a supreme God but by a Universal Law. The universe is eternal and undergoes constant change. Jainism rejects the concept of the ‘final annihilation of the world’.

D. Nature of the Soul & Karma

• Every object possesses a soul (jiva).
• Karma is an invisible force that binds to the soul and obscures its true nature.
• The goal is to end the cycle of karma through penance (nirjara).
• Samadhi Maran / Sallekhana: A religious vow of voluntarily fasting to death when facing inevitable death.

III. Sects and Sub-Sects

A. Major Schism (c. 300 BCE)

• The division solidified due to a famine and a migration south led by Bhadrabahu.
• Digambara (“Sky-clad”): Monks do not wear clothes. Followers of Bhadrabahu who migrated south.
• Shvetambara (“White-clad”): Monks wear white clothes. Those who remained in the north under Sthulabhadra.

B. Other Sects

• Sthanakvasi: A Shvetambara reformist sect (began 1653 AD) that rejects idol worship and uses prayer halls (sthanakas).
• Yapaniya: An ancient sect with mixed Digambara and Shvetambara practices; monks worshipped idols without clothes.

IV. Sacred Literature & History

A. Sacred Texts

• Earliest Texts: The Fourteen Purvas were the earliest scriptures. Bhadrabahu and Sambhutavijaya were the last monks with full knowledge of them.
• Language: The earliest literature was compiled in Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit.
• Shvetambara Canon: Compiled into 12 Angas.
  • Finalized at the Vallabhi Council.
  • An earlier council was held at Pataliputra (c. 300 BCE) during the Chandragupta period to preserve teachings after the famine.
• Non-Jain Text: The Therigatha (verses by Buddhist nuns) is part of Buddhist, not Jain, literature.

B. Important Historical Figures

• Mahavira’s Family:
  • Son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.
  • Trishala was the sister of King Chetaka of the Lichchhavis, making Mahavira royalty.
• First Disciple: Jamali, Mahavira’s son-in-law.
• Royal Patron: King Kharavela of Kalinga (1st century BC) was a famous patron.
• Builder: Chavundaraya, a minister of the Western Ganga dynasty, commissioned the Gommateshwara statue.

V. Pilgrimage & Historical Sites

• : Where Rishabhdev (1st Tirthankara) attained Nirvana.
• Pavapuri: Where Mahavira (24th Tirthankara) attained Nirvana.
• Sammed Shikhar (Parasnath Hill): A major site where many Tirthankaras, including Parshvanath (23rd), attained Nirvana.
• Champapuri: Where Vasupujya (12th Tirthankara) attained Nirvana.
• Prabhasgiri (Kaushambi): A pilgrimage site associated with the 6th Tirthankara, Padmaprabha. A site for both Buddhists and Jains.
• Shravanabelagola: A major tirtha known for the monolithic statue of Gommateshwara (Bahubali). Site of the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony every 12 years.

VI. Contemporary & Rival Sects

The Ajivaka Sect

• Founder: Makkhali Gosala (initially a follower of Mahavira).
• Core Belief: Niyativada (Fatalism) – the belief that everything is pre-determined and human effort is powerless.
• Patronage: Emperor Ashoka and his grandson Dasaratha dedicated cave dwellings in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills to them.
• Evidence: Barabar Hill Caves contain Mauryan-era inscriptions (3rd century BC) from Ashoka to the Ajivakas.

VII. Patronage of Religions (Context)

• Pala Rulers (Eastern India): Famous patrons of Buddhism.
• Ikshvaku Rulers (Southern India): Followed Vedic religion but were not antagonistic and provided support to Buddhism.
• Key Figures in Other Traditions:
  • Nagarjuna: Associated with the Buddhist Sunyavada philosophy.
  • Lakulisa: Founder of the Pasupata Shaivism sect.

Know More about Jainism:

• Jainism One Liner Questions & Answers
• Jainism – Old Year Questions and Answers