History of Jainism

1
History of Jainism

• Pre-vedic
• an indigenous Indian religion
• ancient Hindu and Buddhist sources mention the
  Jains

2
History, contd...

• Mahavira
• contemporary of the Buddha (d. 526 BCE)
• also a prince
• renounced his comfortable life.
• Meditated for 12 years (silence, fasting)
• wandering teacher for 30 years

3
History, contd...

• Tirthankaras
• fordmakers, or better pathfinders
• elevated beyond the human plane of existence, not
  available to Jains with assistance
• models for good and ethically and morally correct
  behavior
• honored through images
• call the tirthankara good life and example to mind

4
25 Tirthkaras so far

• 1st was Lord Rishabba
• provided moral and ethical codes
• marriage
• family law
• justice
• government

• first science information
• agriculture
• crafts
• reading
• writing
• mathematics brought forth civilization
• built villages, cities, and towns

5
The two groups

• Two groups within the group
• Digambaras
• Left the area of Mahavira because of famine
• Svetambaras
• Stayed in the area

6
A LITTLE different...

• Two primary differences between the two
• relaxation of nudity requirement for monks
  (Digambaras yes, Svetambaras no)
• council convened for moving from oral
  transmission of teachings to established written
  cannons

7
Sky Clad Ones

• Sky clad ones
• no nudity, no shame, no stuff, no kidding
• wear the environment as ones clothing, that way
  you hurt nothing
• 2 possessions
• gourd to drink water
• fan made from drooped peacock feathers

8
White Clad Ones

• White clad ones
• piece of white cloth
• And what about women?
• Digambaras
• women lack strong body and willpower to attain
  liberation
• can be liberated IF reborn in a mans body
• Svetambaras
• women are capable of the same spiritual
  achievements
• 19th tirthankara was a woman