Jainism
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- Jainism was founded by Aadinath and Rishabha Dev, while the real founder was Mahavir swami.
- The five Mahavarta (important principles) of Jainism are-: Ahimsa, Satya (truth), Asteya (not to steal), Aparigraha and Brahmacharya.
- The first 4 was added by 23rd Tirthankar “Parasnath” while the 5th was added by Mahavir.
- Vardhamana Mahavira was a contemporary of Buddha.
- He was born in 540 BC at kundigram in Vaishali(Bihar).
- He was a kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part of the Vajji sangha.
- The parents of Mahavira were Siddhartha and Trishala.His childhood name was Vardhmaan.
- Mahavira married a princess named Yashoda.
- Anujya or Priyadarshna was the daughter of Mahavira who was married to Jamali.
- At the age of 30, Mahavira took permission from his elder brother “Nandi Vardhan” and left his home.
- At the age of 42 years, under Sal tree on the bank of river Rijupalika, He attained the highest spiritual knowledge.
- He died in 468 B.C because of self-starvation at Pava, near Rajgriha.
- Mahavir gave his first sermon at Pava to 11 Brahman.
- Jains believe that by following the three-fold path of right Belief, right Knowledge and right Conduct, souls will be released from transmigration and reach the pure and blissful abode.
- First Jain Council was held at Patliputra under the chairmanship of Sthulabhadra in 367 B.C.It resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas replacing the lost 14 Purvas.
- The Second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi under the chairmanship of Devardhi in 526 A.D.
- Jainism literature: They were written in Prakrit language.
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- Aachrang Sutra- Tells about meditation of Mahavir for 12 years.
- Kalpa-sutra – Biographies of Jain Tirthankaras mainly ParashnaMahavir.
- Bhagwati Sutra – It contains thousands of question and answers on various topics from four Anuyogas, Such as soul, entities, matter, ultimate particles and universe.
