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GLIMPSES OF JAINISM
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BACK GROUND:
Jainism is an extremely ancient religion handed down from the remote past by a series of enlightened sages and teachers called Tirthankars. The first Tirthankar of this Chauvisi (era, series) is Bhagwan Rushabhdev or Adinath. According to Jain belief, in addition to establishing religious order, he pioneered and founded social and political structure, the institution of family, law, justice, arts and crafts, reading, writing, music, land cultivation, and the use of fire to cook. He is mentioned in many ancient books like Vedas and Puranas of Hindu religion.
The religion was not always known by the name Jainism as it is today. Earlier, it was known as Shramans (dependence upon self- endeavor for spiritual advancement) or Nirgranth (without any written scriptures). It acquired the name Jain at a much later date when the 23rd Tirthankar, Bhagwan Parshwanath (B.C. 877 - B.C. 777) and the 24th Tirthankar, Bhagwan Mahavir (B.C. 599 - B.C. 527) revitalized the religion and were called Jina, a Sanskrit word meaning conqueror. Jina has evolved to mean a person who has reached the status of "Supreme Being" culminating in the breaking of the cycle of birth and death. This state of Supreme Being is achieved by shedding oneself of all Karmas through conquering one's inner enemies such as passion, greed, hatred, anger, ego, deceit and the likes. The followers of Jina are known as Jains.
Bhagwan Mahavira (the last Tirthankar), son of king Siddharth and queen Trishala, was born 2600 years ago in (current day) Bihar India and was a contemporary of Buddha. Being a prince, he had all worldly amenities and luxuries at his disposal. However, he was detached from them. In order
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