RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT Religious Movement – Jainism & Buddhism • The 6th Century B.C. was a period of great religious upheaval (uncertainty). • In India Mahavira, who founded Jainism and Gautam Buddha, who gave birth to Buddhism infused a new life into the old and shattered society. • They protested against ritualistic form of religion, brutality of caste and dominance of brahmanas. They advocated social equality, justice and freedom for both men and women. • They rejected the Vedas and vedic rituals, denounced sacrifices and propagated the doctrine of non-violence. • They were motivated by the philosophy of the Upanishads. Their ideas about Karma, Soul, Rebirth, Moksha and Ahimsa were inspired by Upanishads. Causes Of New Movements The condition of the then society favoured the rise and growth of Jainism and Buddhism. A few of these causes were: 1. The Vedic philosophy had lost its original purity and in 6th Cen B.C. Rituals had become more complex, ceremonies were painful and awfully expensive. 2. The caste system had become rigid and brutal (cruel/inhuman); there were strict restriction on food, drinks and marriage. Interchange of caste was impossible.Jainism and Buddism offered people of low caste an honoured place. 3. The supremacy of brahmanas created unrest. 4. All the religious treatises (texts/thesis/articles/papers/essays) were written in Sanskrit which was the language of elite class and not the masses. Both the religion have used common language of the people i.e. Pali and Prakrit. JAINISM Important Literature: • Aacharanga Sutra – Rules and regulations related with Jaina monks. • Bhagawati Sutra –Biography of Mahavira Swami • Kalpa Sutra –Biography of 23 Tirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus) • Nyayadhamma Katha – Teachings of Lord Mahavira Important Tirthankaras: Rishabhadeva / Adinatha – He was first Tirthankara and mentioned in Rigveda.In Dilwara Jain temple (Mt. Abu, Rajasthan) which was built by Vimal (the minister of Kumarapala) we find the statue of Adinatha. • Ajeetnatha – 2ndTirthankara • Sambhavanatha – 3rd Tirthankara • Mallinatha – 19th Tirthankara. He was considered as afemale Tirthankara by Shwetambaras and as a male Tirthankara by Digambaras. • Neminatha / Arishtnemi –22nd Tirthankara. He was contemprorary to Lord Krishna and mentioned in Rigveda. • Parshwanatha – 23rd Tirthankara • MahaviraSwami – 24th Tirthankara Jaina Tirthankara and their Symbols: • Rishabhadeva – Bull • Ajithnatha –Elephant • Parshwanatha – Snake • Mahavira Swami – Lion Mahavira Swami’s Li f e History ➢ Birth – 540 B.C. / 599 B.C. ➢ Birthplace–Kundagram (Near Vaishali, Mujjaffarpur Bihar) ➢ Mother – Trishala (Sister of Chetaka, the king of Lichhavis) SHIELD DEFENCE ACADEMY Page 1 RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT ➢ Father – Siddhartha, Wife – Yashoda ➢ Daughter – Annojya or Priyadarshana, Son-In-Law – Jamali ➢ Clan – Jnatrika • At the age of 30, after the death of his parents he renounced (left) his family by the permission of his elder brother Nandivardhana. • In the 42nd year of his age Mahavira attained Kaivalya (supreme knowledge) at the river bank of Rijupalika under Shala tree (Jrimbhikgrama Region, Bihar). From now onwards he was called Jaina or Jitendriya (one who has conquered his senses). • Titles of Mahavira –Mahavira (the brave), Nirgrantha (free from all bounds), Jina (the victor), Kaivalin (who has attained knowledge), Arhanta (Yogya/able). • Jamali was the first disciple of Mahavira and first who revolted against Mahavira. ➢ Year of Death (at the age 72 years) – 527 B.C. / 468 B.C. ➢ Place of Death(Kaivalya / Nirvana / Moksha) –Pawapuri (Near Patna, Bihar) Teachings of Mahavira: 1. Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and the vedic rituals. He advocated simple life with the ultimate aim to attain Kaivalya (Nirvana / Moksha). 2. Mahavira did not believe in the existence of God. Man’s salvation does not depend upon the mercy of God but on his own acts. 3. Mahavira believed in Karmaand the transmigration of soul (atma). The body dies but the soul is immortal. 4. Jains lay great emphasis on equality. 5. Mahavira accepted caste system, though he did not approve the restrictions on food or drinks. He said that man may be good or bad according to his Karmaand not on account of his birth. 6. The world consists of two elements: Jiva (conscious being) and atma (the unconcious). The ultimate aim of Jiva should to get rid of the cycle of birth and rebirth and attain nirvana. 7. Triratna of Jainism Samyaka Vishwas – Right Faith Samyaka Jnan (Gyan) – Right Knowledge Samyaka Karma – Right Conduct 8. Panch – Anuvrata (Five vows/shapath) Ahimsa–Non-Violence Satya – Truth Asateya – Non-Stealing Aparigriha – Non-Possession (not to store more than need) Brahmacharya– Chastity • First four Anuvratas were introduced by Parshwanatha while fifth one was added by Mahavira. • All these Anuvratas were followed by Grahasthas (people engaged in normal social life). ➢ Mahavira along with his 11 disciples formed a council called Ganadhara. ➢ Arya Sudharmana was the only Ganadhara who survived after the death of Mahavira and became the first Thera (pontiff). ➢ Thera – who propagated teachings of Jainism after the death of Mahavira. ➢ Bhadrabahu (6th Thera) was contemporary of Chandragupta Maurya. Note: The Jaina philosophy was very similar to Sankhya Philosophy. An important Jaina philosophy was known as Anekantavada / Syadavada / Saptabhanginaya. By this theory Jains describe eternal (param / endless) elements. Jaina Councils: 1st Council Time – 300 B.C. Place – Pataliputra SHIELD DEFENCE ACADEMY Page 2 RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT President – Sthoolbahu / Sthoolbhadra Aim –To find out solution of disputes among Jaina monks Importance –Jaina canons (principles) were compiled in 12 Angas(parts). ➢ Jainism divided in two sects: Shwetambara and Digambara Shwetambara: Disciples of Sthoolbhadra Those who put on white robes/clothes Idol-Worship of Mahavira as God Liberal in beliefs (ideology) Digambaras: Disciples of Bhadrabahu Those who were stark naked Worshipof Symbols of Mahavira like Kharaau and Kamandal Orthodox in ideology 2nd Council Time – 512 A.D. Place – Vallabhi (Gujarat) President – Devadhideva Kshamashramana Aim –Recompilation of 12 angas because they were missing. Among these 12 angas ‘Acharanga Sutra’ and ‘Bhagawati Sutra’ are most important. Important Facts of Jainism • They used Prakrit language in their teachings which was the language of common people. • Parshishtaparavana was an imp Jaina text written by Hemachandra. • Jainism is the second oldest religion after Vedic religion. • Mahavira and Parshwanath both allowed women to enter in Jainism. • In Jainism after death people can achieve moksha by two types – Kayaklesh and Samlekhana. • Rulers who patronized Jainism – Bimbisara, Chandragupta Maurya, Samprati (grandson of Asoka), Kharavela (Kalinga), Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta) etc. Ex. Of Jaina Architecture 1. Statue of Bahubali, also known as Gomateshwara Place - Shravanabelagola, Karnataka Made by – Chamundaroy (minister of Ganga Dynasty) Made of – Granite 2. Udayagiri – Khandagiri Caves (Orissa) Elephant Inscription of Kharavela, ruler of Kalinga 3. Ellora Caves by Rashtrakuta ruler 4. Dilwara Jaina Temple SHIELD DEFENCE ACADEMY Page 3 RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT BUDDHISM Buddhist Literature • All the literature related to Buddhism, complete philosophy and teachings of Buddha were compiled together in different Buddhist councils and given the name as ‘Pitaka’ (basket). • These pitakas are collectively known as ‘Tripitakas’: 1. Vinaya Pitaka 2. Sutta Pitaka 3. Abhidhamma Pitaka Vinaya Pitaka:- • Compiled by Buddha’s disciple Upali. • Related with rules and regulations of Buddhist Sanghas (church) and discipline of Buddhist monks. Sutta Pitaka:- • Compiled by Buddha’s disciple Aanand. • Most exhaustive/comprehensive and important. • Related with Buddhist principles and ideology. Abhidhamma Pitaka:- • Related with Buddhist Philosophy. • It is in Question-Answer form. • Last text written in Pali language. ➢ In Singhalovaadsutta description of Dhamma is found. ➢ Mahavastu, written in Sanskrit,is the biograpy of Lord Buddha. It is related with Hinayana sect. ➢ Lalita-Vistar,written in Sanskrit,also a biograpy of Lord Buddha. Note:Edwin Arnold wrote an epic ‘The Light of Asia’ which is based on Lalita-Vistar. Famous Buddhist Scholar & Philosophers:- • Ashvaghosh:He was court poet in the rule of Kushana ruler Kanishka. His works (books)are – Buddhacharita, Saundarananda and Saariputra-Prakaran. All these are written in Sanskrit.Note:Saundarananda is the oldest epic written in Sanskrit. • Nagasena: In Milinda-Panho (a Pali text) a conversation between Nagasena and Menander is found. • Nagarjuna:He was contemporary and friend of Satavahana ruler YajnaShri Gautamputra Shatkarni.He propounded the theory of ‘Shunyavada’. He wrote ‘Madhyamika Karika’ is Sanskrit.Note:He is called as ‘Einstein of India’. • Maitreyinatha: Founder of ‘Vigyanvada/Yogachar’. • Dharmakirti: He is called as ‘Kant (an European philosopher) of India’. • Dinanaga:He is called as ‘Father of Nyaya-Darshan’ • Vasubandhu:Wrote a book Ábhidhammakosha’ known as Encyclopedia of Buddism. Life History of Gautama Buddha ➢ Birth–563 B.C. / Day – Vaishakha Purnima ➢ Symbol of Birth–Lotus and Ox ➢ Birth Place–Lumbini (Kapilvastu) ➢ Clan/Gotra–Shakya ➢ Father – Shuddhodhana, Mother – Mahamaya ➢ Wife – Yashodhara, Son - Rahul ➢ Death (also known as Mahaparinirvana)–483 B.C. ➢ Place of Death–Kushinara, capital of Malla Republic ➢ Symbol of Death - Stupa • He renounced (left) his home at the age of 29. This event