🧘♂️ Jainism – Complete Notes for Government Exams
🔸 Origin & Meaning
-
Jainism is derived from the word "Jina", which means conqueror or victor.
-
It is an ancient Indian religion, believed to have existed before the Vedic period.
-
It emphasizes non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), and asceticism.
📜 Founders & Tirthankaras
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| First Tirthankara | Rishabhanatha (Adinath) |
| 23rd Tirthankara | Parshvanath (born ~877 BCE in Varanasi) |
| 24th & Last Tirthankara | Vardhaman Mahavira (Born: 599 BCE – Died: 527 BCE) |
| Mahavira’s Birthplace | Kundagrama (near Vaishali, Bihar) |
| Parents | King Siddhartha & Queen Trishala |
| Marriage | Yashoda (had a daughter named Priyadarshana) |
| Renunciation | At age 30 |
| Kevalya (Enlightenment) | At age 42 under a Sal Tree |
| Death (Nirvana) | At age 72 in Pawapuri, Bihar |
🧘♀️ Teachings of Jainism
3 Jewels / Triratna of Jainism:
-
Right Faith (Samyak Darshan)
-
Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan)
-
Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra)
Five Mahavratas (Great Vows) – for monks:
-
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
-
Satya (Truth)
-
Asteya (Non-stealing)
-
Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
-
Aparigraha (Non-possession)
(Note: For householders, these are called Anuvratas – smaller versions of Mahavratas)
🕊️ Key Concepts
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ahimsa | Central principle |
| Anekantavada | Reality is multifaceted |
| Syadvada | Theory of conditional viewpoints |
| Karma | Belief in action and result |
| Moksha | Liberation of soul from cycle of rebirth |
🏛️ Sects of Jainism
| Sect | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Shwetambara | - Wear white clothes – Women can achieve moksha – Idols clothed |
| Digambara | - Sky-clad (naked monks) – Women can't attain moksha – Idols unclothed |
🛕 Jain Councils (Sangiti)
-
First Council
-
Place: Pataliputra
-
Time: 3rd Century BCE
-
Patron: Chandragupta Maurya
-
Presided by: Sthulabhadra
-
Purpose: Compilation of teachings
-
-
Second Council
-
Place: Vallabhi (Gujarat)
-
Time: 5th Century CE
-
Presided by: Devardhigani Kshamashramana
-
Purpose: Final compilation of Jain texts into written form – Agamas
-
📚 Jain Literature
-
Agamas – Jain canonical scriptures (Shwetambara tradition)
-
Tattvartha Sutra – Most important Jain philosophical text (accepted by both sects)
🏛️ Famous Jain Architecture & Symbols
| Place/Temple | Location |
|---|---|
| Dilwara Temples | Mount Abu, Rajasthan |
| Shravanabelagola | Karnataka – Giant Gomateshwara statue |
| Pawapuri Jal Mandir | Bihar |
| Ranakpur Temple | Rajasthan |
🧠 Exam Tricks / Facts
✅ Mahavira was a Kshatriya from Lichchhavi clan.
✅ Unlike Buddhism, Jainism believes in Atma (soul).
✅ Jain monks use muhapatti (mouth-cloth) to avoid harming microbes.
✅ Jainism does not believe in a creator god.
✅ First Tirthankara Rishabhadeva is also mentioned in Rigveda.
✅ Mahavira attained moksha in Pawapuri.
🎯 Expected MCQs for Exams:
-
Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism?
a) Rishabhanath
b) Parshvanath ✅
c) Mahavira
d) Neminath -
Which of the following is not a Triratna of Jainism?
a) Right Faith
b) Right Action ✅
c) Right Conduct
d) Right Knowledge -
Where did Mahavira attain Nirvana?
a) Rajgir
b) Vaishali
c) Pawapuri ✅
d) Vallabhi