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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
NOVEMBER 2014
ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF BY SELF STUDY OF JAINOLOGY
DR. KAMINI GOGRI
LESSON - 1: THREE TRADITIONS In Dept of Philosophy, University of Mumbai, in last 18 years more than 2500 students are trained in vari- ous courses like Certificate, Diploma, M.A., M.Phil, Ph.D. in study of Jainology. The experiences of all these students are matter of great pride and satisfaction. Along with their other routine activities the knowledge of Jainism has transformed their lives. The contents of courses are well designed to cover Philosophy, History, Sociology, Art and Architect, Literature etc. of Jain traditions.
Subjects taught in certificate course are followings. (1) Three ancient Indian traditions (Vedic, Buddhism
and Jainism) (2) Brief on major world religions (3) Navkar Mantra (4) Tirthankars, Agam and other Jain literature (5) Jain Cosmology and Jain Cycly of Time (6) Sangha, Rules for Ascetics and Lay Followers (7) Jain Mythology (8) Anekant, Syatvad, Nayvad and Saptabhangi (9) Theory of Knowledge (10) Contents of Universe (6 Dravya) (11) Essence of Liberation (Nine Tattvas) (12)Jain Ethics, Jain Yoga and Meditation (13) Various sects of Jain tradition (14)Caste System-Jain point of veiw (15) Jain festival and Jain rituals (16) Position of women in Jain tradition (17)Vegitarianism, worldpeace and ecology protection
by Non violence. (18)Jain Art and Architecture and Places of Pilgrim
age.
In the following article we will study about first topic. Three ancient traditions, that is Vedic, Buddhist and Jain tradition.
In ancient India, there were mainly two traditionsVedic or Brahmanical traditions and the Sramana tradition. Hinduism belongs to Vedic traditions, and both
Buddhism and Jainism belong to Sramana tradition. These two traditions represent two radically different views about-i) the relation between man and the world, and (ii) the ultimate goal of human life. The final goal of man is liberation from this world. Sramana or an ascetic is the central figure in the Sramana tradition. Vedic Tradition
The Vedic liturgy is conserved in the mantra portion of the four Vedas which are compiled in Sanskrit. The religious prctices centered on a clergy administering rites. This mode of worship is largely unchanged today within Hinduism.
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. The Vedas are apuruseya ('not of human agency'). They are supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus are called sruti ( what is heard') distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called smriti ( what is remembered'). The Vedic texts are organized around four canonical collections of metrical material known as Samhitas, of which the first three are related to the performance of yajna (sacrifice) in historical Vedic religioun. 1. The Rigveda containing hymns to be recited by the
hotar, presiding priest; 2. The Yajurveda containing formulas to be recited by
the adhvaryu or officiating priest; 3. The Samaveda, containing formulas to be sung by
me udgatar or priest that chants; 4. The Atharavaveda a collection of spells and incan
tations, apotropaic charms and speculative hymns.
The individual verses contained in these compilations are known as mantras. Some selected Vedic mantras are still recited at prayers, religious functions and other auspicious occasions in contemporary Hinduism. Rigveda
The Rigveda Samhita is the oldest extant text. It is
