Background History of Jain Religion

 

Background History of Jain Religion

        The history of our country is replete with the names of many deities whom people know as representatives of God. The epic Hindu literatures are filled up with the names of many such God-man (Devata) and God-woman (Devi). Jainism is one religion where the tirthankaras are the great human personalities mentioned in old texts who made history by transforming themselves from an ordinary human being to a form equivalent to God. This could be achieved by the tirthankaras by dint of their own efforts.

      Jain religion, which is known as Jainism is not the vision of a single tirthankara but it is the collective knowledge of all 24 tirthankaras who propagated their thoughts to the people. The tirthankaras were the prophets to the society who, through their knowledge and vision could give proper directions for the betterment of the society. It has been proved time and again, that prophets appeared whenever there was severe social and political unrest all over the world. This is true in our country also. Among many names available, the tirthankaras were well accepted during different time periods. We find the names of tirthankaras in Ved and Puranas written by eminent Hindu sages. The tirthankaras were highly accepted by the royal kingdom out of whom some initiated themselves and encouraged their family and to keep faith on Jainism. On the contrary, there is no mention of any Hindu God in Jain literature (agam) available till date. Also, Buddha who was contemporary, accepted Mahavira as tirthankara. On the contrary, the Jain religious books nowhere mentioned about Buddha or his religion, Buddhism. There was no dispute between Buddha and Mahavira, as nowhere in Tripitak, there is any mention about their differences in opinion.

       The concept of Jainism has evolved from the time of Rishavdev, known to be the first tirthankara. He appeared during the 3^rd ara of avasarpini kaal, which is supposedly prevedic era. Therefore, Jainism is not 2500 years old religion but it is perhaps the oldest religion known on earth. Not only Mahavir, but his immediate predecessor Parsvanath, the 23^rd tirthankara, has been recognized as historical personage. Also, the 22^nd tirthankara Aristanemi, a cousin of Lord Krishna, stands in the twilight of history. The Buddhist literature Tripitaks are full of references to a sect of monks called Nirgranthas who were the followers of Mahavira. The followers of Buddha considered the monks of nirgranthas as their most powerful rivals in religious arguments. To quote the German writer Hermann Jacobi in this context:

        “The nirgranthas are frequently mentioned by the Buddhists. But there is no mention of the Buddha monks in any of the old Jain literature.” In the Jain sutras, the names of Jamali, Gosalaka and other heterodox teachers are mentioned who formed another institution named ‘Ajivika’.

         The first time the teaching of a tirthankara was written by the disciples and ganadharas of Lord Mahavira. Therefore, we may say that Mahavira is the founder of Jainism. The teachings of Mahavir were written in the form of 12 agams. Later on, the number increased and 45 of them are available with the Swetambar sect. Thus, the Jain tradition which is extant today is a handiwork of Mahavir. In this way, Jainism is 2500 years old religion. However, it cannot be denied that the teachings of the tirthankaras were embedded within the sutras. The sutras were documented systematically almost1000 years after the nirvana of Mahavira.