________________ || Jaina Omniscient Teachers | EHEHE THE 24 TIRTHANKARAS/JINAS OF THE PRESENT CYCLE OF TIME EHRH According to the belief of the Jains, Jaina religion is eternal and it has been revealed again and again, in every one of the endless succeeding periods of the world, by innumerable Tirthankaras - Jinas. These Omniscient teachers of the Path of Salvation (Ahimsa Dharma), are called the 'Victors', the 'Makers Of The Crossing'. The word Jaina is derived from 'Jina': 'The Conqueror'. Those who follow their teachings are called Jains. 1. RSABHA (or ADINATHA) 7. SU PARSVA 13. VIMALA 19. MALLI 2. AJITA 8. CHANDRA-PRABHA 14. ANANTA (or ANANTAJIT) 20. SUVRATA (or MUNI-SUVRATA ) 3. SAM BHAVA 9. SUVIDHI (or PUSPA DAN TA) 15. DHARMA 21. NAMI 4. ABHINAN DANA 10. SI TALA 16. SANTI 22. NEMI (or ARISTA NEMI) 5. SUMATI 11. SRE YA MSA (or SRE YAN) 17. KUNTHU 23. PARSVA (877 B.C.) 6. PADMAPRABHA 12. VASU PUJ YA 18. ARA 24. MAHAVIRA (599 B.C.) 24. VARDHAMANA MAHAVIRA'S LIFE (599 to 527 B.C.) The last Jina of the Cosmic Half Cycle, Mahavira, is an historical personage born in 599 B.C. into a royal family. His parents followed the teachings of Parsva (23rd Jina). He was given the name Vardhamana. At age 30, he renounced the world and became an ascetic. He was known then as Nirgrantha. After 12 years as a possessionless mendicant, he attained Kaivalya-jnana - the supreme knowledge, complete understanding of the nature of the universe. He became the Arhat, the Jina, the Tirthankara Mahavira. For 30 years he travelled from place to place as a great teacher. He was not the founder of a new religion but reformed the prevailing creed, handed down from previous Tirthankaras of the Sramana current of religious tradition (Path) which was based on Ahimsite creed. He re-organized the 4-fold order of monks, nuns and lay followers. Mahavira taught the Sramana Dharma of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and became the great benefactor and friend of all living beings. He attained total Liberation (Moksha) in the year 527 B.C. *) Graphics and Design by Bornl. Kramski Jainism by Mike Proud foot and Irena Upenieks (c) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1993
