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Notes
CHAPTER 1
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Tirthankar is one who by adopting asceticism achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge), thus becoming a Jina (one who has conquered his inner enemies—anger, pride, deceit, desire etc.). A Tirthankar shows the path to enlightenment to others. The first Tirthankar was Rishabh. The twenty-fourth and last Tirthankar was Mahavir (599–527 BC). The Aitareya Upanishad is one of the oldest of the Upanishads. It belongs to the Aitareya Aranyaka of the Rigveda. Divided into three chapters, it deals with the process of creation. The most famous expression of the Vedanta, 'pragnanarn Brahma,' which means Brahma is intelligence, comes from Aitareya Upanishad. The Chhandogya Upanishad is one of the most prominent of philosophical and mystical texts. Among the ten major Upanishads, the Chhandogya and the Brihadaranyaka stand above others in their grand stature and majesty. The Chandogya Upanishad primarily deals with the visible forms of experience. Mahayana (literally great vehicle) is one of the major branches of Buddhism. In the way of the Mahayana, enlightened wisdom is the main focus of realization. Compassion is gained through the transferral of merit and salvation, supported by a rich cosmography, including celestial realms and powers, with a spectrum of Bodhisattvas, both human and seemingly godlike, who can assist followers.
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