Jainism is an eastern religion, which advocates total nonviolence.
Meaning of word Jainism:
Jinas are human beings who have complete control over their body and mind. They have conquered their inner enemies like pride, greed, lust, anger, jealousy, etc. Jains are the people who follow the path preached by the Jinas. Hence, Jainism is the religion followed by Jains or the doctrines of Jinas.
Who is the founder of Jainism?
It is believed that Jainism was founded by Mahavir, but the history of Jainism is much older than that of Mahavir. It is believed that Rishabha, the father of King Bharata, founded Jainism. He was followed by 23 Tirthankars of whom Mahavir was the last. Hence, there are a total of 24 Tirthankars in Jainism who make the religion.
Teachings of Jainism:
Five Owes:
1. Not to kill anybody or anything.
2. Not to speak a lie.
3. Not to steal anything.
4. To renounce pleasure in all external things and to observe purity and chastity.
5. Not to have an attachment to worldly things.
The fifth owe was added by Mahavir.
The Concept of God:
Jainism does not believe in the Creator of the universe. The universe is beginningless and has existed from eternity. Mahavir described God as “Only the highest, the noblest and the fullest manifestation of all the powers which lie latent in the soul of a man.”
The Aim of life:
The ultimate aim of a Jain’s life is to attain salvation, i.e., liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth, which is the same as Hinduism.
Nonviolence (Ahimsa):
Nonviolence is the most important virtue of Jainism. Jains believe that the soul exists not only in humans and animals but also in plants and everything like stones, fire, raindrops, etc. A Jain’s Karma should be such that he should not inflict injury to the lowliest form of life.
1. Honey should be rejected as it is a bee’s life.
2. Water should be strained before drinking so that he does not kill any creature.
3. The mouth should be veiled so that inhalation does not kill any life in the air.
4. Lamps should be screened to protect the insects from the flame.
5. The ground should be swept before walking on it so that we do not kill any form of life.
6. Jains are not allowed to do agriculture as it requires tearing up the soil resulting in the killing of insects and worms.
7. All Jains should live a life of virtue and morality.
Jainism Sects:
There are two main sects in Jainism, viz. Svetambaras and Digambaras. Digambaras believe in remaining nude throughout their lives, denouncing all the things in the world, whilst Svetambaras wear white robes.
Tirthankars:
There are a total of 24 Tirthankars of which Rishabh was the first and Mahavir was the last. Parsvanath was the 23rd Tirthankar.
Following are the names of 24 Tirthankaras:
1. Lord Rishabha.
2. Lord Ajitnath.
3. Lord Sambhavnath
4. Lord Abhinandan Swami
5. Lord Sumatinath
6. Lord Padmaprabh
7. Lord Suparshvanath
8. Lord Chandra Prabha Swami
9. Lord Suvidhanath
10. Lord Shitalnath
11. Lord Shreyanshnath
12. Lord Vasupujya
13. Lord Vimalanath
14. Lord Ananthnath
15. Lord Dharmanath
16. Lord Shantinath
17. Lord Kunthunath
18. Lord Arnath
19. Lord Mallinath
20. Lord Munisuvrat Swami
21. Lord Naminath
22. Lord Neminath
23. Lord Parshvanath
24. Lord Mahavir
Summarized Facts about Jainism:
1. Jainism was founded by 24 Tirthankaras listed above.
2. Jainism is an eastern religion that believes salvation as the ultimate aim of human life.
3. Most of the followers of Jainism live in India.
4. Jainism strongly advocates nonviolence and believes the soul exists in all animals, plants, and even in nonliving things.
5. Jainism is the sixth largest religion in India.
6. The main occupation of Jains is business. Agriculture is not allowed for Jains.
7. Shwetambar and Digambar are two sects in Jainism.
8. Jainism believes that the universe is beginningless and endless. There is no creator or destroyer of the universe.