PPT: Jainism | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


On 
Indian History,
Art and Culture
CRASH COURSE
Page 2


On 
Indian History,
Art and Culture
CRASH COURSE
JAINISM
Page 3


On 
Indian History,
Art and Culture
CRASH COURSE
JAINISM
Who is a Jain? 
? A Jain is a follower of Jina (victor or conqueror).
? Jains are followers of certain ascetics who obtained omniscience and preach a 
doctrine that promises a super mundane bliss of eternal salvation. 
? Jainism has no evidence of its dates of origin and must have originated 
centuries before Buddhism. 
? It was revived by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. 
? Jainism has been preached by a succession of twenty-four propagators of faith 
known as Tirthankara. 
? Jaina tradition identifies Rishabha (Adinath) as the first tirthankara. The last 
two tirthankara, Parshva and Mahavira are historical figures whose existence 
is recorded. 
Page 4


On 
Indian History,
Art and Culture
CRASH COURSE
JAINISM
Who is a Jain? 
? A Jain is a follower of Jina (victor or conqueror).
? Jains are followers of certain ascetics who obtained omniscience and preach a 
doctrine that promises a super mundane bliss of eternal salvation. 
? Jainism has no evidence of its dates of origin and must have originated 
centuries before Buddhism. 
? It was revived by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. 
? Jainism has been preached by a succession of twenty-four propagators of faith 
known as Tirthankara. 
? Jaina tradition identifies Rishabha (Adinath) as the first tirthankara. The last 
two tirthankara, Parshva and Mahavira are historical figures whose existence 
is recorded. 
? Mahavira was born to King Sidhartha and Queen Trishala in month of Chaitra
(Mahavira Jayanti).Hisname wasVardhaman.
? He started engaging in meditation and emerged himself in self contemplation at the
age of 30. After spending 12 years as an ascetic he attained the Kevalaya Gyan and
devoted restofhislifepreaching thesame.
? ThefirstSanskrit Biography ofMahavira wasVardhamacharitrabyAsaga.
Page 5


On 
Indian History,
Art and Culture
CRASH COURSE
JAINISM
Who is a Jain? 
? A Jain is a follower of Jina (victor or conqueror).
? Jains are followers of certain ascetics who obtained omniscience and preach a 
doctrine that promises a super mundane bliss of eternal salvation. 
? Jainism has no evidence of its dates of origin and must have originated 
centuries before Buddhism. 
? It was revived by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. 
? Jainism has been preached by a succession of twenty-four propagators of faith 
known as Tirthankara. 
? Jaina tradition identifies Rishabha (Adinath) as the first tirthankara. The last 
two tirthankara, Parshva and Mahavira are historical figures whose existence 
is recorded. 
? Mahavira was born to King Sidhartha and Queen Trishala in month of Chaitra
(Mahavira Jayanti).Hisname wasVardhaman.
? He started engaging in meditation and emerged himself in self contemplation at the
age of 30. After spending 12 years as an ascetic he attained the Kevalaya Gyan and
devoted restofhislifepreaching thesame.
? ThefirstSanskrit Biography ofMahavira wasVardhamacharitrabyAsaga.
Principles of Jainism
Jainism encourages spiritual development through cultivation of one's own
personal wisdom and reliance on self-control through vows. Ascetics of this
religion undertake five major vows:
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Cause no harm to living beings. It involves minimizing
intentional as well as unintentional harm to other living creatures.
2. Satya (Truth): The vow is to always speak of truth.
? Given that non-violence has priority, other principles yield to it whenever there is a
conflict. In a situation where speaking truth could lead to violence, silence is to be
observed.
3. Asteya: Not take into possession, anything that is not willingly offered. Attempt
to squeeze material wealth from others or exploit the weak is considered theft.
4. Brahmacharya: Exercise control over senses from indulgence in sexual
activity.
5. Aparigraha: Detachment from people, places and material things. Live a life of
complete renunciation of property and human relations.