Jainism

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Jainism is dicussed as one of the major religious movements that arose during the period of spiritual and intellectual ferment in the 6th century B.C., alongside Buddhism.

Question 2

Origin

Answer 2

Jainism traces its origin to Mahavira(also known as Vardhamana), the 24th Tirthankara(spiritual teacher)

Mahavira was born around 599B.C. in Kundagrama(modern-day Bihar)

He is considered a reformer of earlier traditions and Parshvantha, the 23rd Tirthankara, preceeded him by about 250 years.

Question 3

Core Beliefs

Answer 3

Jainism ephasises stric asceticism, non-violence(Ahimsa) and truthfulness

It teaches that the universe is eternal, with no creator and that the cycle of birth, death and rebirth(samsara) can be escaped through moral living

Karma is a central concept: it binds the soul, and liberation(moksha) can only be achieved by purifying the soul through good deeds and ascetic practices.

Question 4

Ahimsa

Answer 4

Jainism’s hallmark id its extreme commitment to non-violence which extends not only to humans but to all living beings, including inscets and plants.
This belief has shaped the lives of followers, many of who avoided agriculture due to its potential to harm living creatures.

Question 5

Asectic Practices

Answer 5

Jain monks and nuns practiced rigorous asceticism. For example, sone wore no clothes to renounce attatchment(the digambara sect) while others wore whit robes(the Svetambara sect)

They also practiced fasting and self-mortification as ways to attain spiritual purification

Question 6

Impact on society

Answer 6

Jainism attracted followers from a wide sprectrum of society, particularly traders and merchants due to its meddage of non-violence, which resonated with those who were engaged in commerce and wanted to avoid warfare.

the religion also promoted vegetarianism and non-possession, shping the way of life to its adherents.

Question 7

Spread annd Influence

Answer 7

Jainism spread across India and became particularly strong in western and souther India

Jains built magnificint temples and contributed to Indian art, literature and philosophy. the temples at mount abu and shravanabelagola are notable for their architectural grandeur.

Question 8

Dilwara Temples

Answer 8

built between 11th and 13th centuries
world famous for their stunning use of marble
archeological evidence suggests that Mahavira himself visited the site making it sacred to the Jains as tirtha

Question 9

Moral Discipline

Answer 9

Non-violence(Ahimsa)
truthfulness(satya)
non-stealing(Asteya)
Celibacy or Chastity(Bhramacharya)
non-possession or non-attatchment(aparigraha)