ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

SR No.: 007711
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 352
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

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B.1.1.1.1.2
History & Doctrinal aspects of Jainism
Dr. Shugan C. Jain
Preface: Origin of Jainism emanates from the inquisitiveness of human beings seeking true knowledge of their being and bliss. Nature of an entity is its religion in Jain philosophy. Infinite knowledge and bliss are the true nature of soul/selflātmā? The path to realize this true nature of self is shown by their spiritual leaders, called Jinas. Jinas first realize this state of true self themselves and then guide others to achieve the same. Followers of the Jinas are called Jains and the path shown by them is called Jainism. Jains claim that 24 such Jinas, who also propagated their experiences and are called tīrthamkaras or ford-maker, appear in each half of a time cycle. This process continues from the beginning-less time. Mahāvīra was the most recent i.e. 24th ford-maker of Jains of the present time cycle. Jainism is India's one of the most ancient Śramaņa or non-Vedic religious traditions and is distinguished by its extreme emphasis on non violence.
History of Jainism Jains consider Rişabhadeva / Ādinātha as their first ford-makerand founder of Jainism in the present time cycle. He lived several millennia ago before the present work culture i.e. before living as a community existed. He is accredited with introducing the work and knowledge based culture in India by bringing order in the society, imbibing work ethics in them, making them prosperous in worldly comforts and later renouncing all his wealth to realize the true nature of his self i.e. infinite knowledge and bliss. He propagated the doctrines of nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness. We find many references to Rişabha in Śramanic, Vedic and other texts along with those of 22nd (Neminātha) and 23rd (Pārsvanātha) ford-maker as well as linkages of 20th Jain Tirthamkara Muni Suvrata with Rāma and 22nd Tirthamkara Neminātha with Krsna. Thus we see continuity in the existence of Jainism since Rişabha's time todate. Mahāvīra, the twenty fourth ford-maker, is the most recent ford-makerof Jains. Many historians consider him erroneously to be the founder of Jainism.
1 Dhammo vatthu sahāvo..... Kārtikeyanūpreksā by Svāmi Kūmāra gātha 478 2 'Anant catustaya ke dhani....Vinay Pātha in Pujā Pradipa by Pt. Hira Lal Jain, The four infinites are infinite conation-knowledge-bliss and energy. 3 Tattvārtha-sutra by Umāsvāti, Sūtra III.16
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