Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Vincent Smith and others as well as Indian scholars like , C.J. Shah, P.C. Nahar, Banarsidas Jain, Kamta Prasad Jain, J.L. Jaini. Barrister Champatrai, H.D. Sankalia, A.N. Upadhye, H.R. Kapadia, A. Chakravarty, B.C. Bhattacharya and others in the late 19th and early 20th century that the image of Jainism was established as an ancient religion by linking together archaeological, religious, literary and historical information.
Jain religion has its own long philosophical tradition with distinctive lineage of 24 Tirthankars (spiritual masters), detailed and comprehensive scriptures and history. With Rishabhnath (Adinath) as the first Tirthankar (spiritual master), the Jain spiritual quest is both pre-vedic and pre-aryan. Jain religion then called Shraman religion culture predates Indus, Egyptian, Babylonian,
Mesopotamian and Roman cultures. The pre-aryan Indus valley civilization as revealed in the excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodoro depict an entire society and its civilization built on the edifice of Ahimsa (nonviolence). The seals with images of a meditating saintly figure found in these excavations relate to Rishabhdeo and confirm Jain traditional lore. With Rishabhnath as the first and founder Tirthankar, Jain religion traces its beginning to the formation of organized society after transition from nomadic life. Prior to renouncing worldly material life and becoming an ascetic, Rishabhnath as the Emperor of then India pioneered the introduction of division of labour in the society by identifying distinct professional sectors of livelihood as ASI
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A Portrait of Jain Religion