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An Introduction to Jain Philosophy
Dr. Vijaya Kumar*
Introduction
Indian culture consists of two main trends : Brāhmanic and Śrāmaņic. The Vedic tradition represents Brāhmaṇic culture and Jainism and Buddhism represent Śrāmaņic culture. The Brāhmaṇic schools accept the authority of the Vedas and Vedic literature. The Jainas and Buddhists have their own canons and canonical literature and they accept their authority, but Jainism is older that Buddhism. Jainism is more prominent than others in the world. According to traditional point of view this religion is without beginning. We can understand this from the term Jina. The name 'Jina' is applied to one who has conquered Rāga (desire) and Dveșa (hatred). The word 'Jina' is derived from 'Rågadvesadina Satun Jayatiti Jina'. One who has conquered the internal enemies rāga and dveşa i.e. one who has rooted out desire and hatred is called a Jina. So, that religion which has been propagated or spread by him is known as the Jaina religion. Because of this reason, his followers are known as Jainas.
Mahavira was the twenty fourth and last Tirthankara, of the Jain religion of this era. In the sacred books of the Jainas the time cycle has been divided into two categories: the ascending spiral and the descending spiral, during each of which 24 Tirthankras appear in India and preach religion. It is the descending timespiral that is running its course now, and 24 Tirthankras have already appeared, of whom Rşabhadeva is the first and Mahavira
* Lecturer, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth,I.T.I. Road, Kauandi, Varanasi-221005.
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