Jainism

The earliest important teaching of Jainism are attributed to Parshvanath, the 23rd thirthankara (Ford Maker), who was prince of Benares.

The names of Rishabdeva and Aristanemi are found in Rig Veda. Mahavira was last of 24th thirthankar. He was born in (540 B.C. – 468 B.C.)s at Kundalgram a village indentified as Basarah in district of Vaishali. He belonged to Jnatrika clan. His father Siddharat was chief of Janatriba clan.

His mother was named Trishala who was sister of Lichchavi chief chetak whose daughter Chellana was married to Bimbisar. He left his home at the age of 30 and wandered for twelve years. He got ‘Kaivalya’ at the age of 42 under a Saltree on the bank of river Rijupalika near Jrimbhikagram.

Hereafter he was Kevalin (omniscient), Jina (Conqueror); Jitendra and Mahavira (great hero). At first Mhavira followed the practice of ascetic group called the Nirgranthas (free from bonds) which have been founded by Parshavnatha. He propogated his religion for 30 year and his mission took him to Magadha, Mithila, Champaetc. He passed away at the age of 72 in 468 B.C. at a place called Pavapuri near Rajgir.

Doctrines of Jainism

Jainism Taught Five Doctrines:

(1)        Do not commit violence- Ahimsa

(2)        Do not speak a lie – Satya

(3)        Do not steal – Asteya

(4)        Do not acquire property – Aparigraha

(5)        Observe continence – Brahmacharya

Only the fifth doctrine was added by Mahavira.

Jainism attached utmost importance to ahimsa (non-violence) and non-injury to living beings. Mahavira asked his followers to lead a more austere life. He asked his followers to discard his clothes completely. Parsva has permitted the use of three garments. Jainism mainly aims at attainment of freedom from wordly bonds. Mahavira taught 3 fold paths known as three jewels or ‘Triratna’ of Jainism for emancipation of soul from transmigration. There are,

(1)        Right Belief – Samyak Dhayan.

(2)        Right knowledge – Samyak Jnana

(3)        Right conduct – Samyak Charitra.

It did not condemn the Varna system as Buddhism did. It prohibited the practice of war and agriculture fore it followers because both involve the killing of living being.

Jain council

The first Jain council was held at  Patiliputra – Jainism came to be divided into Svetambars (white clad) and Digambars (who remained naked). The Digambars did not recognized the rearranged version of 12 Angas (The Jain literature). The second Jain council (512 A.D.). – held at Vallabhi presided over by Deyardhi Kshama – Sramana. At this council the Jain canonical texts were finally compiled.

Importance and Influence of Jainism

Jaina Monastic establishment were called ‘Basadiis’. Jainism made the first severe attempt to mitigate the evils of the varna order and the ritualistic vedic religion. The early jainas discarded Sanskrit language and adopted Prakrit, the language of common people.

Their religious literature was writer in ‘Ardhamagdhi’.

Prakrit language gave birth to make languages like Shauraseni out of which grew the Marathi language. The earliest important works of Jainas were composed in ‘Apabhramsha’. They also contributed to the growth of Kannada.

Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture

Jain literature and the growth of vernacular languages :- The jains utilized the prevailing spoken languages of the different times at different places in the country for their religious propaganda and the preservation of the sacred knowledge .Their religious literature which is written in prakrit is very vast . Many of the jain literatures are written in Apabhramsa language which is the precursor of Hindi , Gujarati and Marathi .Apabhramsa links modern vernacular languages on one hand and classical languages sanskrit and prakrit on the other hand . Jain thought and inspiration can be traced in the literature of the South . The earliest literature in Kannad is of Jain Influence .

 Jain Architecture :- The beauty of jainism finds its watermark during the 11^th and 12^th century C.E. They erected stupas like buddhists in honour of their saints at mathura , bundelkhand , northern Madhya Pradesh .The gigantic statues of Bahubali called Gommatesvara at sharavan belgola and karkal in Karnataka are examples of  the wonders of architecture .

Caves :- Excellent Jain architecture and sculpture can be seen in their Stupas and rock-cut caves found in Mathura, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa cave temples. A number of rock-cut caves have been discovered in Udaigiri and Khandagiri, twin hills in Puri District of Orissa and in Ellora in Maharashtra.

Excavated mainly as retreats for Jaina ascetics, they belong to the first century and second century BC. The eighteen Udaigiri and fifteen Khandagiri caves differ in plan from the rock-cut viharas of the Buddhists. The Jain viharas here do not have the assembly or prayer hall surrounded by cel1s nor a sanctuary like the Buddhist viharas. Excavated at different levels, the cells are narrow with low ceilings. There are no niches in the walls. The cells are small and plain, in keeping with the rigorous asceticism of Jain monks. Some of the cells have shelves cut across the walls. The doorways are small and one has to bend or crawl to enter a cell. In some of the cells the floor is raised at the rear end to serve as a pillow. Some cells have low raised platforms for beds. The lay-out of the cells is such that they get sufficient light - the cells opening on to a verandah. The Udaigiri caves are double-storeyed and have a courtyard in front.

The largest and finest of the Udaigiri caves is Cave 1 called the Rani-Gumpha or Rani cave. (Gumpha the local word tor cave). The Rani-Gumpha is important for its heavily sculptured friezes. The architecture of the cave is simple, having been excavated on three sides of a quadrangle. The roof of the verandah projects outwards like an overhanging cornice (eave). Pillars have been cut to support the roof giving the caves an effect of structural houses. The right wing of the lower storey has one cell with three small entrances and a pillared verandah. Two armed dwarapalas stand guard on either side of the verandah.

Places of pilgrims :- Parsvanath hills , Pavapuri and Rajgiri in Bihar and Girnar and Palitana in kathiawar .The Jain tower at chittor and Jain temple in Mount Abu ,in Rajasthan are  one of the best specimen of Jain architecture .

Gautam Buddha and Buddhism

Buddha was born in 563 B.C. in a Shakya kshatriya family in a grove of sal trees names Lumbini near Kapilvastu.

His father Suddhodhana was a elected ruler or Kapilvastu and mother was Mahamaya, a princes from Kosalan Dynasty. he was married to Yasodhara. At the age of 29, Siddharata left his house and this is called  ‘MAHA BHINISKRAMANA’ a great going forth or great Renunciation.

From a sage named Allara Kalama he learned the techniques of Mediation and the lore of ‘Brahma’ as taught in Upanishad. He got Nirvana on bank or river niranjana under Pipal tree near Bodhgaya.

He gave his first sermon at Sarnath to the five former disciples and called the preaching of Sermon as DHARMACHAKRA PARIVARTANA. He formed a disciplined body of monks (Bhiksus) known as Sangha for the expansion of his ideas.

He returned to Kapilvastu and converted his mother, wife and son (Rahul) and and his cousin Devadatta. At the request of his foster mother Gautami he alloed with much forgiving the formation of nuns.

He died at the age of 80 in 483 B.C. at a place called Kushinager identical with village called Kasia in district of Deoria, in eastern U.P. This was the final blowing out – PARINIRVANA

Doctrines of Buddhism

The Buddha proved to be a practical reformer who took notes of relities of day. he did not involve himself in controversies regarding soul (atman) and Brahma (god).

According to him there were four noble truth.

The world is full of suffering. Desire is the main cause of suffering. Freedom from suffering is possible by giving up desire. There is a way out of suffering.

For elimination of human misery. Buddha suggested eight fold path (Astangika Marg) which comprises of

(i)         Right observation       

(ii)        Right determination

(iii)       Right speech                          

(iv)       Right action

(v)        Right livelihood

(vi)       Right exercise

(vii)Right memory

(viii)Right meditation

Gautam taught that a person should avoid the excess of both luxury and austerity. He prescribed the middle path. Buddhism does not recognize the existence of god and soul. Buddhism shared the contemporary belief in Samsara and Karma. Buddhism rejected the authority of the Vedas, condemned blood sacrifices, denied or doubted the existence of supreme creative spirit.

Caste was no bar for enrolment in the Buddhist order. Three main elements of Buddhism are Buddha, Sangha and Dharma. In course of time there developed many sects of Buddhism out of which the most important were Hinayana (lesser vehicle), Mahayana (greater Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Vehicle of Thunderbolt).

The Hinayana believed in original teachings of Buddha and in individual efforts of Salvation by understanding the noble truth and following the eight fold paths. The Mahayana believed that everyone can not get Salvation by individual efforts, only a few like Buddha and Boddhisatvas can get it. So the best way is to worship Buddha and Boddhisatava.

Vajrayana incorporated into it the elements of Tantricism.

Causes for Decline of Buddhism

By the 12th century A.D. Buddhism became practically extinct in India. The monks gave up pali language and took to Sanskrit, the language of intellectuals.

From the 1st century A.D. they practiced idol worship and received numerous gifts from devotees. The rich offering supplemented by generous royal grants to Buddhist monastries made the lives of monks easy and they gave themselves to sensual pleasures indulging in corrupt practices.

The Brahamana ruler Pushymitra Sungha persecuted the Buddhist. The Huna King Mihirkula, who was worshpper or Shiva killed hundreds of Buddhists.

The Shaivite Shasanka of Gauda cut off the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. In South India both the Shaivites and Vaishnavites bitterly opposed Buddhism in early Medieval times. Such conflicts many have weakened Buddhism.

The monastries for their riches came to be coveted by Turkish invaders. They became special targets of the invaders greeds.

Importance and Influence of Buddhism

The conversion of Shundras and women to Buddhism free them from the inferior status imposted the cattle weath of the country, with its emphasis on nonviolence and the sanctitiy of animal life

The earliest Buddhist text ‘Suttanipatta’ declared cattle to be giver of food (Annada), Beauty (Vannada) and happiness (Sukhada) and therefore pleaded for their protection. The Brahmanical insistence on the sacredness of the cow and non-violence was apparently derived from Buddhist teaching.

The first human statues worshipped in India were probably those of Buddha which was fashioned by Gandhara school of Art. The Buddhist canonical literature is written in Pali and is divided into 3 categories and are dubbed as ‘Tripitaka’. The first contains the saying and the teaching of Buddha i.e. Suttapitka, the second deals with rules and conduct to be observed by Sangha (Vinayapitaka) and the third presents the philoshical exposition of Dhama (Abhidhamma pitaka).

Development of Buddhism : First Buddhist Council 483 B.C.

Held at Rajgriha. It was presided by Mahakashap. Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka or Rules of order. Another Disciple Anada recited the Sutta Pitaka the great collection of Buddha’s Sermon.

Sutta Pitaka is divided into 5 Nikayas

(i)         Digha Nikaya

(ii)        Majihima Nikaya

(iii)       Samyutta Nikaya

(iv)       Anguttara Nikaya

(v)        Khuddak Nikaya

Khuddak Nikaya contains ‘JATAKAS’

Second buddhist council (383 b.c.)

Under the presidentship of Sabakami at Vaishali during reign of Kala Ashoka.

Here Buddhism come to be divided into two sects.

(a)        The orthodox ‘Sthaviravadins’ or believers in teaching of elders

(b)        ‘Mahasanghika’ or members of greater community.

Third buddhist council (25 b.c.)

At Patliputra under the patronage of Asoka presided by Tissa Mugaliputta.

The last section was added, to Pakscriptures, the Katha Vattu of Abhidhamma Pitaka dealing with Psychology and Metaphysics.

In this council it was decided to send Buddhist Missionary to other countries.

Its simple ritual was ased on cult of Chaityas or sacred pots.

Fourth buddhist council (72 a.d.)

At Kundanvan in Kashmir under royal patronage of Kanishka. It was presided by Vasumitra.

Sarvastivadin Doctrine were codified in The summary mahavibhasa. Here Buddhism was divied into two broad sect Mayayana or greatr vehicle and Hinayana or lesser vehicle.

Mahayana supported the philosophy of workship of Buddha idol and Boddhisattava; Hinayana was against the idol worship and followed the eight fold path for Salvation. It became popular in Ceylon, Bunna,k Thailand etc.

At around 8th century A.D., a third vehicle, the vehicle of Thunderbolt appeared in eastern India and grew rapidly in Bengal and Bihar. The main centgre of Vajrayana was the Vikramshila monastry in Bihar. It was this form of Buddhism which was finally established in Tibet in 11th Century A.D. by the efforts and teachings of two Buddhist monks Santarakshita and Dipankara.

The chief Divinities of these sects were the ‘Saviourness’, the spouse of Buddha and Boddhisattava. Territorial States and First Magadhan Empire – 16 Maha janapadas

According to Buddhist Text Auguttra Nikaya, there were 16 Mahajanpadas. Of these Magadha emerged as most powerful.

Buddhist Symbols

Since the making of human images of the Buddha was considered sacrilegious for a long time, Buddhist visual art has produced an elaborate vocabulary of symbolic and iconic forms of expressions. A great variety of Buddhist symbols is found in temples and in Buddhist visual art and literature. The following eight figures are among the more common ones. The lotus, the wheel, and the stupa can be seen in almost every Buddhist temple. One may understand these symbols as visual mantras. Contemplating these figures is an exercise in meditation to establish inner contact with the aspect that is represented.