History of Jainism
Jainism is an ancient religion of India.
Contents |
Origin [edit]
The origin of Jainism cannot be precisely dated. Various scholars have come to different conclusions regarding it. Scholars like H. Zimmer and J.G.R. Forlong are of the opinion that the sramana tradition has its existence in pre-vedic period.[1] Jainism is last direct representative of this sramana movement. According to the Jain tradition, Jainism was preached by a succession of twenty-four propagators of faith, known as tirthankara. Rishabha, the first tirthankara is thus the traditional founder of Jainism. However, whether he existed in reality or was just a legendary character, is of dispute amongs the scholars even today. Some scholars have tried to connect Rishabha with seals of Indus Valley Civilization. They are of the opinion that the depiction of nude male figures in standing meditative positions was prevalent in the Indus Valley Civilisation, showing connections with Jainism. Glasenapp writes that first century after the year 1000 BCE would be the higher limit to the origin of Jainism.[2] Mahavira (c. 599–527) was the last of the tirthankara and Parsva (c. 877–777 BCE), the 23rd tirthankara is the earliest tirthankara who is considered as a historical figure.[3]
Lineage [edit]
After the death of Parsva, his desciple Subhadatta became the head of the monks. Subhadatta was succeeded by Haridatta, Aryasamudra, Prabha and lastly Kesi.[4] Jain scriptures have records of a dialogue between Mahavira's desciple and kesi; kesi along with his community accepted Mahavira as a tirthankara and merged with him as a result.[5]
The tirthankara are said to have attained perfect knowledge, known as keval jnana. After Mahavira, one of his disciple Sudharma Svami is said to have took over the leadership. He was the head of Jain community till 515 BCE.[6] After his death, Jambuswami, a disciple of Sudharma Svami became the head of the monks. He was the head till 463 BCE.[7] Sudharma Svami and Jambu Svami are also traditionally said to have attained keval jnana. It is said that no one Jambu Svami has attained it till now.
After Sudharma svami, a succession of five sutrakevalis, i.e those who were well versed with scriptures, who headed the monks of the Jain community. Bhadrabahu was last sutrakevali.[8] After Bhadrabahu, there were seven (or eleven) leaders.[9] The knowledge of the scriptures was gradually getting lost with each one of them.
Royal patronage [edit]
Jains consider the king Bimbisara (c. 558–491 BCE) of the Haryanka dynasty as a patron of Jainism. His son Ajatasatru (c. 492–460 BCE) and his successor Udayi has also patronized Jainism.[10]
The Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty. Shishunaga dynasty was then succeeded by the Nanda Empire (424–321 BCE). Jainism flourished under the nanda empire.[11]
Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BCE), the emperor founder of Mauryan Empire became desciple of Bhadrabahu during later part of his life. Bindusara (298–273 BCE), who succeeded Chandragupta not a Jain and his successor Ashoka (273–232 BCE) was inspired by buddhist ideologies. Ashoka's grandson Samprati (c. 224–215 BCE), however, is said to have converted into Jainism by a Jain monk named Suhasti. He is known to have erected many Jain temples. He lived in a place called Ujjain.[12]
After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, Mahameghavahana dynasty came into power. Its third emperor Kharavela, though religiously tolerant, is said to have patronized Jainism. He erected a statue of the Adinath, the first tirthankara and made cave-dwellings for monks.[13]
During Chandragupta's reign, Bhadrabahu moved to karnataka to survive a twelve year long famine. Sthulbhadra, a pupil of Bhadrabahu, stayed in Magadha. Later, when the desciples of Bhadrabahu returned, they found that those who stayed back started wearing clothes.[14] They found this as being opposed to the Jain tenets which, according to them, required complete nudity. Those who wore chlothes are known as svetambara where as the other were known as digambara. According to Svetambara, they are the original Jains and the Digambara sect came out c. 83 CE. According to Digambara, they are the original and the svetambara sect came out c. 80 CE.
According to a story, Gardabhilla (c. 1st century BCE), a powerful king of Ujjain, abducted a nun called Sarasvati who was the sister of a Jain monk named Kalaka. The enraged monk sought the help of the Indo-Scythian ruler Saka Sahi who defeated Gardabhilla and made him a captive. Sarasvati was repatriated, although Gardabhilla himself was forgiven.[15] Vikramaditya, the son of Garadabhilla, drove away the saka ruler and is considered by Jains as a patron of their religion.[16] He was a pupil of a famous Jain monk called Siddhasena Divakara. The rule of Vikramaditya was ended by Gautamiputra Satakarni (also known as Salivahana) according to the tradition. He was also a great patron of Jainism.[17] Mathura was an important Jain centre during 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE and inscriptions from 1st and 2nd century CE shows that the schism of Digambara/Svetambara had already happened.[18]
Vallabhi council was formed at 454 CE[19] to write the scriptures of Jainism. The digambara sect completely rejects these scriptures as not being authentic. King Vanaraja (c. 720–780 CE) of cavada dynasty was raised by a Jain monk Silunga Suri. Mularaja, the founder of Calukaya dynasty constructed built a Jain temple, even though he was not a Jain.[20] During the reign of Bhima (1022–1064), a Jain layman Vimala built many temples above mount Abu. A famous Jain monk Hemacandra (Born c. 1088 CE) was initiated at the age of eight by monk Devacandra. He was a prime figure; responsible for propagation of Jainism in Gujarat.[21] He converted king Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty. However, Ajaypala, nephew and successor of Kumarpala was a Saivite. He subjucated Jains.
Mihirakula ended the Gupta kingdom c. 480 CE. He was considered as an opponent by the Jains because he created policies to subjucate Jainism.[22]
Huien Tsang, a traveller, (629–645 CE) notes that numerous Jains in Vaisali near Rajagraha, Nalanda, Pundravardhana. He considers Kalinga to be major seat of Jainism during his time.[23]
The king of kannauj Ama (c. 8th century CE) was converted to Jainism by Bappabhatti, a desciple of Siddhasena Divakara.[24] Bappabhatti also converted a friend of Ama, named Vakpati. Vakpati is the one who composed the famous prakrit epic named Gaudavaho.[25]
Notes [edit]
- ^ Jain 1991, p. 1
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 23
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 16
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 28
- ^ Jain 1991, p. 15
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 39
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 40
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 47
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 40
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 41
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 41
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 44
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 45
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 46
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 50
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 50
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 51
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 49
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 48
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 56
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 57
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 52
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 45
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 52
- ^ Glasenapp 1999, p. 53
References [edit]
- Dundas, Paul (2002), The Jains, Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5
- Glasenapp, Helmuth Von (1999), Jainism, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1376-2
- Jain, Kailash Chand (1991), Lord Mahāvīra and His Times, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-0805-8
- Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998), The Jaina Path Of Purification, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1578-0
- Singh, Ram Bhushan Prasad (2008), Jainism In Early Medieval Karnataka, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-3323-4
