$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 209

RITUALS
DO2-Emblems, Dreams, Puja Rituals
Important Information About Tirthankars Tirthankar Rushabhadev's mother was Märudevi Mätä and according to Shvetämbar tradition, she was the first person to attain liberation in this era. Tirthankar Rushabhadev had 100 sons. The name of his eldest son was Bharat (first Chakravarti king) after whom our native nation Bharat (India) is named. One of Bharat's sons, Marichi, ultimately reincarnated as Tirthankar Mahävir, the last Tirthankar of this era. Tirthankar Rushabhadev's second son was Bahubali, and according to Digambar tradition, he was the first person to attain liberation in this era. Shvetämbar tradition believes that Tirthankar Mallinath was a female while Digambar tradition believes that Mallinäth was a male. According to Shvetämbar tradition, Tirthankars Mallinäth and Neminäth were the only two Tirthankars who did not get married. According to Digambar tradition, Väsupujya-swämi, Pärshvanath, and Mahävirswämi also did not get married. Lord Ram (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Hindu Mythology) is believed to be a contemporary of Tirthankar Munisuvrat-swami. Tirthankar Neminäth is believed to be a cousin of Lord Krishna, (another incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Prince Nemi (Tirthankar Neminäth) was engaged to Princess Räjul. On the day of the wedding, upon hearing the cries of the birds and animals that were going to be slaughtered for the wedding feast, Prince Nemi renounced his worldly life and became a monk. Princess Räjul followed him and became a nun. Tirthankar Pärshvanath was born in 877 BC. He lived for 100 years and attained Nirvana in 777 BC, 250 years before the birth of Tirthankar Mahävir. Tirthankar Mahävirswami was born in 599 BC and attained Nirvana (Moksha) in 527 BC. He was named Prince Vardhaman at birth. He attained Nirväna on the day of Diwali. He is the last of the 24 Tirthankars of this time cycle. Each of the 23 Tirthankars (except Neminäth) were born and took Diksha in the same place. *Digambar tradition indicates that women cannot become Tirthankar or be liberated because they need to cover their body with cloths after the renunciation (after becoming nuns). Hence, they cannot follow the fifth Mahävrata of Non-possession fully. For liberation, it is essential that all five Mahävrats be followed fully. Shvetämbar tradition interprets the fifth Mahävrata of Non-possessiveness indicating that monks and nuns may wear very simple minimum cloths needed to properly function their daily activities in the society e.g. Gochari - (Going to laypeople home for food). However, they should not have any attachments to their cloths. 03 Dreams of A Tirthankar's Mother Introduction Jainism does not restrict the right of attaining perfection to any one individual. Anyone can aspire to the highest state if one has the will to follow path of righteousness. Once the lamp of righteousness is kindled one may pass through many births with spiritual ups and downs but the march of progress is assured. Bhagawan Mahävir's soul before becoming liberated was just like us wandering in the lifecycle birth after birth. Before innumerable years, Bhagawan Mahävir's soul in the life as Nayasär, a woodcutter, attained selfrealization (Samyaktva). Then during 25th life as Nandan Muni, with intense penance and deep desire to guide every living being towards liberation, He attained Tirthankar-Näm-karma. After passing the next life as a heavenly being His soul attained its final destination and was born as Prince Vardhamän to Queen Trishala and King Siddhartha during his 27th and final birth It is a well-established convention that mother of a would-be Tirthankar witnesses auspicious dreams. (14 according to the Shvetämbar tradition/16 according to the digambar tradition) Tirthankar Mahavir's soul was an angel in the tenth heaven before being born as Prince Vardhaman.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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