ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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services and governance; he propagated the doctrines of non-violence, charity, self-study, devotion to teacher and the omniscient lords. He is the founder or first ford-maker (tīrthamkara) of Jains in the present time cycle. His son emperor Bharata established the unified India and named the country as Bharat. His children and brothers were the ancestors of Dravid and Kuru dynasties, which ruled over India for centuries.
B. Metal age 8000 - 2000 BC: 4th time epoch as per Jains (era of self effort) During this period, the Indian civilization made strides in business, agriculture, movement of goods and people between the above four divisions of the country. Particulars of several Jain ford-makers also collaborates existence and prosperity of Jainism during this period. Mohanjodaro (Nandur civilization) and Sindhu valley civilizations were showing prosperity and building of towns, cities with facilities similar to now. Excavations from these places also show a number of images and carving reflecting nude ascetic in deep meditation (representing Jain images of worship) and total absence of the fireplace (havanakunda), the essential component of Vedic yajñas. This civilization was expert in using metals like copper etc, establishing cities, agriculture, making cloth and trading etc. and is considered as forerunner of Sumeri, Pharos and other west Asian civilizations.
C. Rāmāyana - Mahābhārata - till Mahāvīra era. 1550 - 500BC. End of 4th epoch or era of happiness-unhappiness Nothing can be said with certainty about the place of origin of Aryans but it appears they were from India and an offshoot of the Mānavas from the hills and moved towards west Asia. Animal sacrifice, recitation of mantras, polygamy for both sexes etc were their traditions. Study of Jain texts reveal that after 10th ford-maker Śītalanātha, Brāhamņas started separating from Sramanas to set up their Vedic cult. Language and script of Vedas are greatly influenced by Ardhamāgadhi and script Brāhmi of Šramaņas. Slowly Vedics started prospering and moved towards Punjab with western U.P. as their center and forcing the other dynasties and cults towards Taksila and Sindhu River while retaining southern India.
During this period Vedic religion was at its peak and Jain/ Śramaņas were existing and popular in several parts. Several attempts were made by religious leaders to bring
5 Each ford-maker of Jains has a specific emblem or sign which represent the ford-maker; e.g. Lion is the emblem of Lord Mahāvīra, the 24th and latest ford-maker of Jains. Fourth ford-maker of Jains Sambhava Nātha's sign horse appear to be similar to the famous horses of Sindh while 9th Ford-maker Puspadanta's sign turtle is similar to makara or turtle the name of Mohenjo-daro are indicative of this.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0