✨ Jainism – Path of Non-Violence and Liberation 🕉️✋

👉 During the period of spiritual exploration in India, Jainism emerged, emphasizing ahimsa, truth, and soul liberation. Let’s explore this religious and philosophical tradition 🏺🕊️.

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1️⃣ Origin / Background

• 🔹 Jain philosophy – literature in Prakrit
• 🔹 Three principles for Moksha:
• Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge)
• Samyak Darshan (Right Perception)
• Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct)
• 🔹 Five main vows:
• Ahimsa – Non-violence
• Satya – Truthfulness
• Asteya – Non-stealing
• Brahmacharya – Celibacy / restraint
• Aparigraha – Detachment from possessions and relationships
• 🔹 Sects:
• Digambar – naked ascetics; Chadragupta Maurya & Bhadrabahu; Sallekhana practice
• Shvetambar – white-clad monks; Sthulabhadra
• ⭐️ Importance: Clear principles for life and liberation.

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2️⃣ Tirthankars

• 🔹 Total 24 Tirthankars
• 🔹 Prominent:
• Rishabhdev – 1st, born in Ayodhya, symbol: Bull
• Parshvanath – 23rd, born in Varanasi, symbol: Serpent
• Vardhaman Mahavir – 24th, main founder, symbol: Lion; born 540 BCE, Kundagram, Vaishali, Bihar; Moksha: 468 BCE, Pawapuri, Bihar
• Father: Siddhartha, Mother: Trishala, Wife: Yashoda, Daughter: Anojna Priyadarshni
• Renounced house at 30, attained omniscience at 42
• First sermon: Pavapuri
• Other names: Jitendriya, Kevalin (omniscient)
• ⭐️ Importance: Spiritual and religious foundation of Jainism.

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3️⃣ Political Patrons

• 🔹 Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Bimbisara, Ajatashatru – key patrons
• ⭐️ Importance: Royal support helped spread the religion.

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4️⃣ Social Life

• 🔹 Disciplined life emphasizing ahimsa and austerity
• 🔹 Sadhus and Sadhvis – dedicated religious life
• ⭐️ Importance: Promoted moral and social values.

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5️⃣ Culture and Religion

• 🔹 Five main principles: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha
• 🔹 Liberation, knowledge, and preaching
• 🔹 Jain Councils:
• First: 298 BCE, organized by Bindusara, compiled 12 Angas, President: Sthulabhadra
• Second: Vallabhi, Gujarat
• ⭐️ Importance: Structured religion and ethics.

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6️⃣ Literature and Knowledge

• 🔹 Writings in Prakrit
• 🔹 Compilation of Angas
• ⭐️ Importance: Development of religious texts and education.

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7️⃣ Major Sites / Evidence

• 🔹 Gomateshwar / Bahubali statue – Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
• 🔹 Rock-cut cave temples
• 🔹 Hathigumpha cave – Kharavela, Odisha
• 🔹 Udayagiri & Khandagiri – Odisha
• 🔹 Dilwara Jain Temples – Mount Abu, Rajasthan, built by Vastupal Bhai
• 🔹 Basadi – Jain monasteries
• ⭐️ Importance: Lasting evidence of architecture, religion, and culture.

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🏁 Conclusion

• Jainism – path of non-violence, truth, and liberation.
• Tirthankars, principles, and architectural heritage left a lasting impact on Indian culture.
• Evolution Line: Tirthankars → Jain Councils → Medieval Jainism → Modern Jain Community 🇮🇳

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