Rise Of Jainism - Beliefs, Subsects, Politics and Expansion

 

Jainism came into existence in India back in the 5th Century, around the same time that Buddhism came into existence. Mahavira laid the foundation of Jainism, we was born near Patna, the capital city of Bihar. 

Jains trace their history back to the 24 theerthankars and revere Rishabhanatha as their first theerthankar. Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world who believe in the eternality of their preachers of theerthankars, that are otherwise considered as mythical figures by historians. 

Both Buddhism and Jainism preach the non-violent way of life, which is termed as "Ahimsa", they believe that Ahimsa is the sole path to achieving success and peace in life. 

Jainism opposes the concept of rebirth, a popular ideology amongst the Hindus, who place their faith in the sanctity of after-life. Jainism and Buddhism are two starkly different religions from the mainstream Hindu religion. The two religions renounce age old superstitions, traditions and cultures and have adapted to their individual ways of life. They renounced the practice of sacrifice as it clashes with their ideologies for non-violence. 

Jainism introduced Ascetism along with abandonment of empty rituals, animal sacrifices and domestic and social evils that were believed to have help attain spiritual freedom or freedom from rebirth. 

Expansion of Jainism 

The first Jain figure was Parsvanatha who was the first of 24 Theerthankars. He lived in 7^th century BCE and founded a community based upon the abandonment of worldly concerns.

Mahavir was the chieftain of a Kshatriya class. At the age of 30 he abandoned family and all the materialistic relations and dedicated his life in search of truth. With the company of the eventual founder of the Ajivika sect, and some other monks, Mahavir travelled 12 and half years in solitary and intense asceticism. He converted 11 monks who were originally Brahmans. Two of his disciples Indrabhuthi Gauthama and Sudharman who survived Mahavira, are regarded as the founders of the historical Jain monastic community.

It has spread across the northern parts of India especially north west parts of India such as the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, Bihar and presently it continues to expand even in the southern states of India.

Sub Sects of Jainism 

There are 2 predominant sects in Jainism, they are Swethambaras and Digambaras. 

Swethambaras are the people who wear only white robes as it signifies peace, love and most importantly Ahimsa. 

Digambaras are the section of Jains who don't embrace clothes and go around completely Naked. These Digambaras and their ideas of achieving the purpose were controversial and many did not agree with their perspective of only allowing monks (males) and not nuns (females) which further arouse the controversy of whether or not a soul can attain liberation from a female body. 

Digambaras involvement in politics

It sounds strange but it is true that the Swethambaras and Digambaras involved in politics. 

Many political, royal and aristocratic figures had Jain monks as their spiritual gurus and advisers. These elaborated patronage systems through which kings, queens, state ministers , and minister generals endowed the Jain community with tax revenues and with direct grants for the establishment and the constructions of temples to with hold the legacy.

One of the most famous constructions was in the 10th century the Ganga general Chamundaraya oversaw the creation of a colossal statue of  Bahu Bali(locally called Gommateshvara; son of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara) at shravanabelagola

Loyal to their own

Even when every other religion has been fighting amongst themselves and with others, Jainism remains loyal to their own in the most peaceful way. 

They dedicate themselves for upholding the lineage of the religion. They build and expand their temples across the country and the globe. And they conduct spiritual classes and allow young people to train themselves for the solitary and to attain emotional discipline as they do not have to brood over the emotional instability in future. 

They do not allow other communities to influence or pollute their pure religion and their state of mind. They are loyal to their own religion.

Written By - Keerthana Bharadwaj 

Edited By - Tushna Choksey