Timeline of Jainism

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Jainism timeline Pre-history Prior to 10th Century BCE The first 22 Tīrthaṇkara — Ṛṣabha to Neminātha.

History The age of Tīrthaṇkaras 2000–1500 BCE Terracotta seals excavated at site suggest links of Jainism with Indus Valley civilization. Mention of Jain Tīrthaṇkaras in Vedas indicates pre-historic origins of Jainism. 877–777 BCE The period of Pārśva, the 23rd Tīrthaṇkaras 599–527 BCE The age of Māhavīra, the 24th Tīrthaṇkaras of Jainism 527 BCE Nirvāṇa of Māhavīra, Kevala Jñāna of his chief disciple Ganadhara Gautama and origin of Divāli. The age of Kevalins 523 BCE As per Jain cosmology, the end of the 4th āra Duḥṣama-suṣamā and start of 5th āra Duḥṣama (sorrow and misery). The age of sorrow is said to have started three years and eight and a half months after the nirvana of Māhavīra. 527–463 BCE The Reign of the Kevalins — Gautama, Sudharma and Jambusvami The age of Sruta-kevali's 463–367 BCE The reign of the Sruta-kevali's. First Council held at Pataliputra for compilation of Jain Agamas. Gradual loss of Purvas. Start of Schism in Jainism in two main sects — Śvetāmbara and Digambara. 320–298 BCE The reign of Chandragupta Maurya. became a Jain ascetic at the end of his reign. 2nd century BCE Khāravela, reign of King of Kalinga (Orissa). Reinstallation of Jina image taken by Nanda Kings of Magadha as per Hathigumpha inscription The Agamic Age 156 CE Recitation of Ṣaṭkhaṇdāgama and Kaṣāyapahuda by Ācārya Dharasena to ĀcāryaPuṣpadanta and Ācārya Bhūtabali in Candragumpha in Mount Girnar. (683 years after Māhavīra) 2nd Century CE Kundakunda, founder of Mūla sangha– the main Digambara ascetic lineage. 2nd – 3rd Century CE Compilation of Tattvārthasūtra by Umāsvāti (Umāsvāmi). This was the first major Jain work in Sanskrit. 300 CE Two simultaneous councils for compilation of Āgamas, 827 years after Māhavīra – Mathura Council headed by Ācārya Skandila and The First Valabhi Council headed by Ācārya Nāgārjuna. 453 or 466 CE Second Valabhi Council headed by Devarddhi Ganin, that is, 980 or 993 AV – Final redaction and compilation of Śvetāmbara Canons. The Age of Logic 4th – 16th Century CE, also known as the age of logic, was the period of development of Jain logic, Philosophy and Yoga. Various original texts, commentaries and expositions were written. The main Ācāryas were – Samantabhadra, Siddhasena Divākara, Akalanka, Haribhadra, Mānikyanandi, Vidyānandi, Prabhācandra, Hemacandra, Yaśovijaya. For a detailed chronological list of Jain philosopher-monks see Jain Philosophers. It was also a period of formation of modern Jain communities and extensive Jain contribution to Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Gujarati Literature. 981 CE Construction of Gommaṭeśvara – Statue of Lord Bāhubalī (18 meters- 57 feet, worlds tallest monolithic free standing structure), at Sravana Belagola, Karnataka by Cāmuṇḍarāya, the General-in-chief and Prime Minister of the Gaṅga kings of Mysore. 10th Century CE Emergence of Śvetāmbara Gacchas out of which, most prominent are – Tapā Gachha, and Kharatara Gaccha 11th–12th Century CE Construction of Delwara temples at Mount Ābu built by the Jain ministers of the king of Gujarat, Vastupāla and Tejapāla 13th Century CE Emergence of institution of Bhattāraka 1474 CE Establishment of non-image worshipping Śvetāmbara sect of Sthānakvasi established by a Jain layman, Lonka Shah. 1506 CE Establishment of Taranapantha Digambara sect 1683 CE Establishment of Digambara sect of Terapantha by a Śvetāmbara layman, Banarasidas 1760 CE Separation of Ācārya Bhikṣu from Sthānakavasi and establishment of Śvetāmbara Terāpantha sect. 1901 CE Establishment of Kavi Pantha based on the teachings of Srimad Rājacandra (1867 – 1901) 1934 CE Separation of Kānjisvāmi from Sthānakavasi and establishment of Digambara Kānjipantha

Timeline of Jainism

[edit] Prehistory

Jainism is one of the oldest religions of India. It is not known exactly when it was founded. Jain theology states that Jainism has existed since eternity and it has no beginning and no end.^[1]

• ca. 9th century BC: Parshva, 23rd Tirthankar of Jain tradition, and at the same time the earliest figure of Jainism considered historically datable.
• ca. 6th century BC: Mahavira, 24th and last Tirthankar.
• 5th century BC: Siddhasen Diwakar
• d. 507 BC: Ganahar Sudharma Swami
• d. 357 BC: Acharya Bhadrabahu
• 2nd century BC: Navakar Mantra epigraphically attested in Maharashtra
• 5th century AD: first mention of the Mula Sangh order.

[edit] Middle Ages

• 9th century: Nemichandra
• 10th century: Svetambara
• 1172: Acharya Hemachandra
• 12th century: Kashtha Sangh
• 1194: Tristutik
• 1229: Tapa Gachchha
• 1476: Lonka Shaha schism
• 1664: Digambar Terapanth
• 1658: Digambara Jain Lal Mandir temple in Delhi built.
• 1760: Swetembar Terapanth
• 1780: Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi orders

[edit] British India

• 1868: Jain temple in Mumbai
• 1880s: reform movement of Acharya Rajendrasuri
• 1893: Virachand Gandhi participates in Chicago's World Parliament of Religions& Won Silver Medal.
• 1904: Jain temple at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
• 1927: Madras High Court in Gateppa v. Eramma and others recognizes "Jainism as a distinct religion"

[edit] Post-Partition

• 1970s: significant presence of Jainism in the United States
• 1976: In Arya Samaj Education Trust, Delhi & Others v. The Director of Education, Delhi Administration, Delhi & Others (AIR 1976 Delhi 207), the Court referred to Heinrich Zimmer's Philosophies of India describing Jainism as "a heterodox Indian religion" and J. N. Farquhar's Modern Religious Movements in India describing Jainism as "a rival of Hinduism."
• 1981: First Jain convention in Los Angeles
• 1983: Formal organization of JAINA (Jain Associations in North America)
• 1990: Temple Pratishtha, The Jain Sangh Cherry Hill, New Jersey
• 1990: Temple Pratishtha, Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington
• 1991: Founding of Siddhachalam, the Jain tirtha
• 1993: Temple Pratishtha, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago
• 1995: Temple Pratishtha, Jain Center of Cincinnati and Dayton
• 1998: Temple Pratishtha, Jain Society of Greater Detroit
• 2000: Temple Pratishtha, Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC)
• 2000: Jain Vishwa Bharati Orlando
• 2005: the Supreme Court of India declined to grant Jains the status of a religious minority throughout India, leaving it to the respective states to decide on the minority status of Jainis.
• 2006: the Supreme Court opined that "Jain Religion is indisputably not a part of the Hindu Religion." (Para 25, Committee of Management Kanya Junior High School Bal Vidya Mandir, Etah, U.P. v. Sachiv, U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad, Allahabad, U.P. and Ors., Per Dalveer Bhandari J., Civil Appeal No. 9595 of 2003, decided On: 21.08.2006, Supreme Court of India.)
• 2008: Delhi city government declares Jain community as a minority as per the Supreme Court Orders.

[edit] See also

• Jain philosophy
• Jainism
• Tirthankar
• Shramana
• Buddhism and Jainism
• Timeline of Buddhism

[edit] External links

• JainConnect.org Newly evolving Online Portal/Directory for Jain Community.

[edit] References

• http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=65998 Antiquity of Jainism : Professor Mahavir Saran Jain