Introduction

"Jainism traditionally known as Jain Dharma,is one of the most ancient Indian religions.
The three main principles of Jainism are
1> Ahimsa ('non-violence')
2> Anekantavada ('non-absolutism')
A> parigraha ('non-attachment')

Jainism is also characterized by asceticism.
Followers of Jainism take five main vows (Pancha Mahavaratas):
1> Ahimsa ('non-violence')
2> Satya ('truth')
3> Asteya ('not stealing')
4> Brahmacharya ('celibacy', 'chastity')
5> Aparigraha ('non-attachment').
These principles have impacted Jain culture in many ways, such as leading to a predominantly vegetarian lifestyle that avoids harm to animals and their life cycles.

Mahavira (540 BC-467 BC) was the founder of Jainism. Mahavira was born in 540 BC in a Kshatriya royal family in Vaishali (present-day Bihar) .He founded this religion after attaining Enlightenment. The teachings of Mahavira revolve around leading a pious life, to shun all violence, and to be austere. . Mahavira came to be known as the 24th Tirthankara or the great Jain spiritual leader

motto of Jainism

Parasparopagraho Jivanam ('the function of souls is to help one another') is the motto of Jainism.

basic prayer in Jainism

Namokar Mantra is the most common and basic prayer in Jainism.

Tirthankaras

Jains trace their history through a succession of twenty-four victorious saviors and teachers known as Tirthankaras, with the first being Rishabhanatha, who is believed to have lived millions of years ago, and twenty-fourth being the Mahavira around 500 BCE. Jains believe that Jainism is an eternal dharma with the Tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the Jain cosmology.

Two sub-traditions

Jainism has two major ancient sub-traditions
1> Digambaras
2>Svetambaras
The Digambaras and Svetambaras have different views on ascetic practices, gender and which Jain texts can be considered canonical.
Jain mendicants are found in all Jain sub-traditions, with laypersons (śrāvakas) supporting the mendicants' spiritual pursuits with resources.

Three Gems / Three Ratnas of Jainism or Triratna

Right faith (samyak shradha)
Right knowledge (samyak jnan)
Right action (samyak karma)

Categories of Siddhas

• Tirthankara - who has attained salvation.
• Arhat - who is about the attain Nirvana.
• Acharyas - the head of the Ascetic group.
• Upadhyaya - teacher or saint.
• Saadhu - teacher or saint.

Spread of Jainism

• In order to spread the teachings of Jainism, Mahavira organized an order of his followers which admitted both men and women.
• Jainism gradually spread into south and west India where the brahmanical religion was weak. According to a late tradition, the spread of Jainism in Karnataka is attributed to Chandragupta Maurya
• The second cause of the spread of Jainism in South India is said to be the great famine that took place in Magadha 200 years after the death of Mahavira.

Contribution of Jainism

• Jainism made the first serious attempt to mitigate the evils of the Varna order and the ritualistic·Vedic religion.
• The early Jainas discarded Sanskrit language
• They adopted Prakrit language of the common people to preach their doctrines .
• Many regional languages developed out of Prakrit languages, particularly Shauraseni, out of which grew the Marathi language.
• they contributed to the growth of Kannada, in which they wrote extensively.

Jain Councils

• First council was held at Patliputraby Sthulabahu. It compiled the 12 angas.
• Second council was held at Valabhi in the 5th century A. D. under the leadership of Devaradsni Kshamasramana and 12 Angas and 12 Upangas was finally compiled here.