Two religions simultaneously rose on the Indian firmament 500 years before Christ – one was Buddhism and other was Jainism. The former spread its fragrance throughout Asia, but gradually lost its grip on India. The latter spread in this country and can even now claim Lakhs of followers. But in this country both are equally respected.
11Jain’ word is derived from `Jin’ which means 1conqueror’ i.e. One who has gained control over his sense and has gained enlightenment. Jainism has 24 Tirthankara whom they respect and worship in temples. Vardhaman Mahavira was 24 Tirthankara, who was the disciple of Tirthankara Parasvanath.
The main aim Jainism is to attain `Nirvana’. This can be done by following the teachings of Tirthankara.
Main principles
*Attainment of Moksha
The present life is a long chain of births and deaths. To get rid of previous and present karmas is the Moksha, which is the aim of life. It can be attained only by saying goodbye to the worldly pleasures and leading a meditation life of yogis. Thus the path of mukti can be trodden only by renouncing our worldly desires. Proper devotion, proper knowledge and proper conduct-these are the three paths attaining Moksha.
*Importance of soul
It is through soul that `Moksha’ can be attained. Soul is more important than body. Soul is pure and immortal while the body is impure and mortal, soul gets imprisoned in the body because of bad `karmas’ and wrong notions of pleasures.
*Non-violence
Non-violence is the basic principles of Jainism. Jainism is the first religion which gave it unprecedented importance.
It is a sin to kill any creature inadvertently and it is a far greater sin to kill any creature intentionally. Therefore, they choose a profession which does involve ant type of violence. Jain Sadhus drink filtered water; they tie a piece of cloth on their mouth and take their meals before sunset so that no creature is killed by them even unknowingly.
They do not light a fire or lamps at night in the temples lest creatures should be attracted and get burnt.
Probably Gandhi learnt his lessons of non-violence from Jainism.
*Jagat
Jagat is immortal but all this things are mortal.
There are two sects of Jainism –Digamber and Swetambaras. It appears that the bifurcation of sects came in the first century before Christ.
*Digamber
They are those Jain Sadhus who do not wear clothes. They treat clothes as obstructions in the path of `mukti’.
*Swetambaras
They are those `Sadhus’ who wear white clothes. They do not treat clothes as obstruction in the path of `Mukti’.
Besides these, there are other sects in Jainism as there are in other religion.