Teachings of Jainism
After understanding the life of Mahavira, it is now important to grasp the essence of Jain philosophy — what it stands for, how it views the world, and how it differs from the dominant Brahmanical (Vedic) tradition.
🔥 A Challenge to Vedic Orthodoxy
- Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas, which were considered sacred in the Brahmanical tradition.
- It also criticised ritualism, especially those involving animal sacrifice (yajna), arguing that they were meaningless acts and could not lead to liberation.
✅ This was a revolutionary stand at a time when Vedic rituals were monopolized by Brahmins and heavily tied to hierarchy and external rites.
🧘♂️ Recognition of the Soul and the Gods
- Jainism believed in the existence of jiva (soul) — but viewed it very differently from other schools.
- It acknowledged the existence of gods, but interestingly, they were placed lower than a Jina (a conqueror of passions).
🎯 For Jainism, liberation (moksha) does not depend on divine grace but on personal effort, discipline, and renunciation.
⚖️ Approach to Varna: Neither Acceptance nor Rejection
- Jainism did not endorse the varna system, but it also didn’t oppose it outright.
- It allowed people of all varnas to join the Jain fold.
- According to Mahavira, one’s varna in this birth is based on karma — that is, the sins or virtues accumulated in previous births.
📌 This karma-based reinterpretation of caste softened its rigidity, and opened a spiritual path to all.
🗣️ Language of the People: Prakrit, Not Sanskrit
- One of the most powerful aspects of Jainism was its use of Prakrit — the common language of the people — instead of Sanskrit.
- This made its teachings accessible and popular.
- Different regions used regional forms of Prakrit. For example, in Magadha, it was known as Magadhi Prakrit.
🔍 This linguistic choice reflects Jainism’s democratic approach — knowledge for everyone, not just for elites.
🌾 Austerity and Renunciation: Core Values
- Mahavira preached intense asceticism and total renunciation.
- He even asked monks to abandon clothing — a stricter stance than Parshvanatha, who allowed minimal clothing.
🧵 This difference would later give rise to two sects:
→ Digambaras (“sky-clad”) — stricter followers of Mahavira
→ Svetambaras (“white-clad”) — trace their lineage to Parshvanatha
🕊️ Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The Heart of Jainism
- Ahimsa, or non-injury, is not just a moral value — it is the central pillar of Jain thought.
- Jainism believed that everything in the universe is alive — not just humans or animals, but plants, water, fire, stones, even air — because all possess soul (jiva).
⚠️ So any act of violence, even unintentional, adds to karma and binds the soul further into samsara (the cycle of birth and death).
❌ Prohibited Professions
- Because even agriculture involves violence (killing of insects), Jain monks and many followers were discouraged from farming.
- War, obviously, was completely banned.
- Therefore, many Jains gradually moved into trade and commerce, where non-violence was easier to practice.
💎 The Triratna (Three Jewels) of Jainism
To attain liberation (moksha), one has to follow the Three Jewels (Triratna):
- Samyak Darshana – Right Faith
- Samyak Jnana – Right Knowledge
- Samyak Charitra – Right Conduct
✅ These are not sequential but simultaneous requirements. Only when all three are present, can one begin the journey toward Kaivalya (omniscience).
🧘♂️ Monastic Life: A Prerequisite for Salvation
- According to Jainism, karma binds the soul, and only through asceticism and penance can the soul break this bondage.
- Therefore, renunciation — becoming a monk or nun — was seen as essential.
- A householder (grihastha) could live ethically, but could not achieve final liberation.
👣 Life of Jain Monks and Nuns
- They had to:
- Live extremely simple lives
- Beg for food (alms)
- Walk only during daylight, watching every step to avoid harming even the smallest life forms
- They were required to follow the five great vows (Mahavratas):
| Sanskrit Term | Meaning |
| Ahimsa | Non-violence |
| Satya | Truthfulness |
| Asteya | Non-stealing |
| Aparigraha | Non-possession (non-attachment) |
| Brahmacharya | Celibacy (added by Mahavira) |
📌 Parshvanatha prescribed only the first four. It was Mahavira who introduced Brahmacharya (celibacy) as the fifth and final vow.
🗻 A Glimpse into Parshvanatha’s Legacy
Let’s also understand a bit more about Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara:
- Born in Kashi (Varanasi) — a key Mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE.
- Achieved Kaivalya (supreme knowledge) at Ashrampad Udyan near Varanasi.
- Attained Parinirvana at Mount Sammed Shikhar (on today’s Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand).
🌄 Even today, Mount Sammed Shikharji is one of the holiest Jain pilgrimage sites.