2550th Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav

Syllabus: GS1/History

Context

• Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav on the auspicious occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

About Mahaveer Jayanti (aka Mahavir Janma Kalyanak)

• 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav: This grand celebration marks 2550 years since Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
• Nationwide Significance: The year-long Mahotsav is not just for the Jain community but aims to spread the message of non-violence, truthfulness, and compassion across India.
• it celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
• Founder of Jainism: While Mahavira is the most recent Tirthankara and played a pivotal role in reviving and reforming Jain principles, Jainism itself is considered an eternal religion with a lineage of past Tirthankaras preceding him.
• Date of Birth: Absolutely, Mahavir Jayanti falls on the 13th day of the waxing moon (bright half) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, typically landing in March or April.

Jainism

• The word Jain comes from the term Jina, meaning conqueror.
• The basic philosophy was already in existence in North India before the birth of Lord Mahavira.
• According to Jain tradition, Mahavira was preceded by 23 tirthankaras (teachers), literally, those who guide men and women across the river of existence.
• The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated and even stones, rocks and water have life.
  • Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects, is central to Jain philosophy.
• According to Jain teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma and asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world, therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation. In order to do so, Jain monks and nuns had to take the five vows.

Seven Tattvas (elements) of Jain Philosophy:

• Jiva (living substance);
• Ajiva (matter or non-living substance);
• Asrava (influx of Karmic matter in the soul);
• Bandha (bondage of soul by Karmic matter);
• Samvara (stopping of Asrava);
• Nirjara (gradual removal of Karmic matter);
• Moksha (attainment of perfect freedom or salvation).

Karmas responsible for distortions of the soul:

• Ghati (Destructive) Karma: These obstruct the true nature of the soul.
  • Jnanavarniya (Knowledge obscuring) Karma;
  • Darshanavarniya (Perception obscuring) Karma;
  • Antaräy (Obstructing) Karma;
  • Mohniya (Deluding) Karma
• Aghati (Non-destructive) Karma:These affect only the body in which the soul resides. As long as Aghati karmas will be present, human souls will stay caged in some kind of a body and will have to experience pain and sufferings in many different forms.
  • Vedniya (Feeling producing) Karma;
  • Nam (Body determining) Karma;
  • Gotra (Status determining) Karma;
  • Ayushya (Age determining) Karma;
  • Vedniya (Feeling producing) Karma

Spread of Jainism:

• Over hundreds of years, it spread to different parts of north India and to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Literature:

Jain scholars have indeed left behind a rich literary heritage spanning various languages.

• Languages of Jain Literature:
  • Prakrit: This is particularly important as the earliest and core Jain texts, the Agamas, are primarily written in Prakrit, specifically a form called Ardha Magadhi.
  • Sanskrit: As Jainism evolved, Sanskrit became a prominent language for Jain scholars, especially for non-canonical works like commentaries and philosophical treatises.
  • Tamil: Notably, Jain monks also contributed significantly to Tamil literature during the Sangam period.
• Classification of Jain Literature:
  • Agam Literature: These are the foundational Jain scriptures believed to be divinely revealed to the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, and transmitted through his disciples, the Ganadhars and Sruta Kevalis.
  • Non-Agam Literature: This vast category encompasses a wide range of works, including commentaries on Agamas, independent philosophical treatises, epics, poems, and even scientific and mathematical works. These were composed by Jain scholars and monks over the centuries in various languages.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Diversity within Prakrit: While Ardha Magadhi is dominant, other Prakrit languages like Maharashtri and Shauraseni were also used in Jain texts.
• Regional Languages: Beyond the three you mentioned, Jain literature flourished in regional languages like Kannada, Telugu, and Apabhramsha as well.
• Modern Languages: The tradition of Jain scholarship continues today, with works being produced in contemporary languages like English and Hindi.

Jain Councils:

Sects of Jainism

• Famine in Magadha led to the division of Jaisim into two sects namely Digambar (meaning sky clad) and Shwetamber (meaning white clad).

Digambar Sect:

• It was led by Bhadrabahu, leader of monks who moved to the south. It is more austere and is closer in its ways to the Jains at the time of Mahavira.
  • In recent centuries, it has been further divided into various sub-sects.

Shwetambar Sect:

• Leadership: The leaderless origin and organic development of the Shwetambar sect around the 4th century BCE is accurate.

• Sthulabhadra: Sthulabhadra in Shwetambara tradition. It’s possible you might be referring to Bhadrabahu, a revered Jain figure, but his leadership role is debated.
• Sub-sects: the sub-sects. The Shwetambar sect does have three main sub-divisions:
  • Murtipujaka: These Shwetambaras actively worship in temples with idols and icons (murtipujak means “idol-worshipper”).
  • Sthanakvasi: This group arose around the 14th century and emphasizes a more ascetic and philosophical approach. They typically avoid elaborate temples and idol worship.
  • Terapanth: Founded in the 18th century, the Terapanthi practice a simpler form of worship compared to the Digambara Tera Panth. They believe in achieving liberation through self-discipline and right conduct.

Differences Between Digambar and Shwetambar:

Difference Between Jainism and Buddhism

Source: PIB