Chapter 6 Jainism

• Arose in the 7th century BC Eastern India
• Several groups reacted against the formalised rituals and hierarchical organisation of traditional Hinduism, desiring something new and fresh
• Historical figures who have lived and taught Jains truths

  • 24
• Tirthankaras


  Spiritual teachers in Jainism, only the last two can be historically verified with any confidence
• 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, is thought to have lived in the 7th century and founded a Jain community based on renunciation of the world
• Mahavira is the 24th and last Tirthankara to appear in this age
• Some Jain historians consider Mahavira as the founder of the religion
• Mahavira is traditionally thought to have lived from 599 to 527 BC
• Some scholars believe Mahavira was a contemporary of the Buddha in the early 5th century BC
• Mahavira was born into the warrior class
• Mahavira's journey to enlightenment

  1. Renounced the world at age 30

  2. Sought spiritual truth in ascetic solitude

  3. Found enlightenment after 13 years of renunciation

  4. Made 11 converts
• Mahavira is said to have fasted to death at Pavapuri
• The monastic community founded by Mahavira boasted 14,000 monks and 36,000 nuns by the time of his death
• Jain Holy Days

  • Characterised by renunciation, austerities, study of the scriptures, repetition of holy hymns, meditations and expressing devotion for the Paramatma
• Jains aim to get free from worldly entanglements to the extent possible and become immersed in worship and meditation
• Renunciation and austerity constitute the very foundation of the Jain Dharma
• Occurs around March/April

  Mahavira Jayanti
• Mahavira Jayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavira
• Activities during Mahavira Jayanti


  • Community worship
  • Processions
  • Other devotional and spiritual activities
• Occurs around October/November

  Paryushana
• Paryushana is the most important festival in Jainism
• During Paryushana, Jains are required to fast and the spiritual preceptors read out and explain in detail the Kalpasutra
• The first seven days of Paryushana are attainments, and the eighth day is one of fulfilment and achievement
• Occurs in October/November

  Diwali
• Diwali is spent in the recitation of holy hymns and meditation
• Svetambara Jains believe that on the night of Diwali in 537 B.C.E Mahavira achieved Nirvana
• The day after Diwali marks the beginning of the New Year in the Jain calendar
• Occurs in October/November

  Kartak Purnima
• During Kartak Purnima, Jains go on pilgrimages to visit sacred sites
• Occurs around November/December

  Mauna Agyaras
• During Mauna Agyaras, Jains fast and observe total silence
• Mauna Agyaras is a day of meditation
• Jain Precepts


  • Right knowledge
  • Right faith
  • Right conduct
• Five great vows

  • Non-violence
  • Truth
  • Non-stealing
  • Celibacy/Chastity
  • Non-attachment/Non-possession
• Branches of Jainism

  • Svetambara
  • Digambara
• Svetambara


  Believed that monks and nuns should wear robes
• Digambara


  Believed that monks should wear no clothes and that women cannot attain liberation
• The schism in Jainism divided when the Svetambara met in a council to decide the Jain canon scriptures around 456 AD
• The Digambaras were excluded from the council and later rejected the decisions of the council