History of Jainism

SR No.: 006741
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Print World
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

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Pārsvanátha and Vardhamana Mahāvīra
The teachings of Pārsvanātha
Pārsvanātha believed in the eternity of matter.78 His followers preached that self-control causes the cessation of karma, and penance leads to its annihilation.79 He laid special emphasis on ahimsă (non-violence).80 Pārsvanātha propounded the cãturyāma dharma or a four-point religion.81 The four-fold path of Pārsva enjoined on his followers four great vows, i.e., (1) not to injure life; (2) to be truthful; (3) not to steal; and (4) nonpossession.82 Mahāvīra converted the four-fold path of Păráva into five mahāvratas by adding the doctrine of chastity or celibacy to it. 83
It would be wrong to think that the four-fold religion preached by Pārsvanātha did not include the doctrine of celibacy. In fact, the principle of celibacy is automatically implied in non-possession.84 Pārsva allowed his disciples to wear an upper and an under garment; Mahāvīra, on the other hand, prescribed complete nudity. 85 But even this difference was outward and superficial rather than real. 86 In fact, the fundamental principles of Pārsva and Mahāvīra were substantially identical. 87
Both Pārsva and Mahāvīra believed that right knowledge, right faith and right conduct were essential for the attainment of mokṣa. The discussion between Kesin, a disciple of Pārsva, and Gautama or Indrabhūti, a disciple of Mahāvīra, which is embodied in chapter twenty-three of the Uttarādhyayana-Sūtra, is significant to note. In reply to a question by Keśin,
78. AOIU, p. 411. 79. Ibid. 80. Uttarādhyayana-Sūtra, 23.12, cited in JSS, p. 10 fn.5; LDJC, p. 23; AOIU,p.411;CHI,
I, p. 154; JSS, p. 10. 81. Uttarādhyayana-Sūtra, 23.12, op. cit.; JSS, p. 10. 82. Ibid., 23.12, op. cit.; JSS, p. 10; LDJC, p. 23; CHI, I, p. 154; AOIU, pp. 411-12. 83. Ibid., 23.12; JSS, p. 10 fn. 9; CHI, I, p. 154; AOIU, pp. 411-12. 84. Uttarădhyayana, 23, cited in JSS, p. 14 fn. 23; AQIU, pp. 411-12; JSS, p. 14. 85. CHI, I, p. 154; JSS, pp. 10-11; LDJC, p. 23. 86. LDJC, p. 23; JSS, p. 11. 87. Ibid.
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