There are two sects of jainism digambara and swetambara. List of world religions and founders, religious books. The third main principle in jainism is aparigraha which means nonattachment to worldly possessions. While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of. Indian language vocabulary is also wellexplained mostly sanskrit. Short essays on jain philosophy forgotten books by unknown and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Svetambaras one of the 2 main sects of jainism accept 32 to 45 sacred texts known as aagamas. These sects have been further sub divided into several other sub sects. The different jain sects accept different numbers of angbahya texts. Digambara jain agamas digambara svetambara jain agamas svetambara.
Read more about varadhmana mahavira, doctrines of jainism, teachings of jainism, sects of jainism, contribution of jainism to. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian. They come out of the main stream by expressing unhappiness and unwillingness towards the existing norms and tenets of asceticism the schism usually occurs owing to social needs, personality cults, and differences on some points. If you know the answer to this question, please register to join our limited. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. The most often cited book of the jains is the tattvartha sutra book of reality thought to date from the second millennium bce, but only recorded in written form in the 5th century ce by umasvati, and it is at that point that jainism splintered into the two main sects. Jainism is deeply philosophical and a very scientific religion. After the division into two major sects, jainism was divided even more into smaller subsections such as gana, sangha, gachchha, and shakha. Jain scriptures were written over a long period of time, but the most cited is the tattvartha sutra, or book of reality, written by the monkscholar, umasvati aka umasvami almost 1800 years ago.
Traditionally, the original doctrine of jainism was contained in scriptures called purva. Originally they were transmitted orally and were not documented until many centuries after their composition. These two traditions or sects take their names from the appearance of their monks. This is one of the most important differences between the two groups in jainism, and it means that jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of jains. Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and. It is not an offshoot of any other religion but is an independent religion recognized by these various names during different time periods. In the absence of authentic scriptures, digambars use two main texts, commentaries on main texts, and four anuyogs consisting of more than 20 texts as the basis for their religious practice. The digambar jain sect maintains that after the famine, the entire jain canonical. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. The digambara sect disputes the authenticity of the entire svetambara canon. The two main sects are debating over the ownership of many sites considered sacred to jainas. They orally complied the direct preaching of lord mahavir into twelve main texts sutras. The original stock of the svetambaras is known as murtipujaka svetambaras since they are the thorough worshipers of idols.
Indian religions, hinduism, jainism, sikhism, christianity. Jain sects the jain religion is one of the oldest religions in the world. In accordance with their practice of nonviolence, the monks also use a peacockfeather duster to clear their path of insects to avoid trampling them. Jain literature is classified into two major categories. This page describes the two sects of jainism shvetambara and digambara from the study of the philosophy of jainism. This is the second part in the series called the the jaina philosophy, originally composed by surendranath dasgupta in the early 20th century. Jainism dharmic religions wiki fandom powered by wikia. This book covers historical developments of jainism from its earliest time to its latest version. These are further divided into different sub sects and traditions. The digambara sect believes that during this famine all the agamas were lost.
This page provides information about important jain texts. All ganadharas possessed perfect knowledge kevaljnan. History notes on jainism in ancient india religious. For ascetics, jainism requires a vow of complete nonpossession of any property. Entrance pillar with jain sacred symbols at adinatha and padmavati temple, srirangapatna karnataka india.
The digambara sect of jainism believes that acharya bhutabali was the. Although scriptural knowledge is very important, access to holy texts has frequently been restricted. Digambars are sky clad means without clothes while swetambars are white clothed always. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. There are a total of 24 tirthankars of which rishabh was the first and mahavir was the last. The svetambara subsects like the digambara sect, the svetambara sect has also been split into three main subsects. The two sects generally agree on all principles of jainism, but the digambaras have unique religious. Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred.
Jainism is an indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twentyfour spiritual teachers known as tirthankara. Jainism religion bhagwan mahavir jain symbol belief. The digambara and svetambara sects interpret the notion of the divine sound. You need to know all about this famous dharma and spiritual path, origin, founder, god, tirthnkara, sacred text, holy book etc.
Lord mahavirs immediate disciples were known as ganadharas. Formerly there were 84 aagams but there are total 45. Broadly, jainism is divided into two major schools of thought, digambara and svetambara. Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. In this book, all the 24 tirthankaras and their lives are written about. Faith and philosophy of jainism arun kumar jain on. The jains ten comandments the most significant regions. The jains have 5 great vows by which they try to live their lives. The two sects agree on the basics of jainism, but disagree on. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is. Jainism was founded by vardhamana mahavira who was born in kundagrama bihar. Hence the angagams are the oldest religious scriptures and the back bone of jain.
Jain scriptures contain the teachings of mahavira and the other tirthankaras. One of the main areas of dispute that was instrumental in the split is that of holy writings. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Main sects are digambaras stark naked and the swetambaras clothed in white. The classification and nature of various doctrinal, philosophical or cultural facets of the schools of buddhism is vague and has been interpreted in many different ways, often due to the sheer number perhaps thousands of different sects. Jain tradition records seven minor movements nihnava within jainism during its early history, either during or after mahavira, in addition to the major schism that led to the formation of svetambara and digambara sects, the seeds of which were probably sown during mahaviras time. Knowledge of what is now in written form is essential to being a good jain.
The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects. The major division within jainism, between the digambaras and svetambaras, is likely to have started early in the common era and is over 1500 years old. The following are the main points of differences among them. The svetambara canon consists principally of 45 works divided as follows. These two sects now recognise different canons of sacred. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. Media in category digambara the following 16 files are in this category, out of 16 total. Arising new sects and schools in religious and philosophical spheres is the natural phenomenon. The aim of existence is to attain through the triratna of. Also the religious books and scriptures were considered possessions and attachments for ascetics.
Each of these sects is also divided into subgroups. Religions in india buddhism, christianity, hinduism. While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of each sect is same. Jainism is a religion which symbolizes solidarity and unity between all beings. In this time period two major sects, namely digambar and swetambar, were already in existence. The causes of their origin and the differences between the two are quite diverse. If one wants to meet god, then that soul will have to rule out its negative traits and meditate to become a jina. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers.
Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. First tirthankara is rishabha mentioned in the yajurveda and mahavira is 24th tirthankara. Two sects of jainism svetambara and digambara chapter i. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. Digambars believe in remaining nude throughout their lives denouncing all the things in the world whilst svetambaras wear white robes. In this time period two major sects, namely digambar and swetambar, were already. For jain laypersons, it recommends limited possession of property that has been honestly earned, and giving excess property to charity. The jain religion was also known as shraman dharma, nirgranth dharma, etc. One main jain symbol includes a wheel on the palm of a hand and the other one is a swastika. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Although scriptural knowledge is very important, access to holy texts has.
Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The schools of buddhism are the various institutional and doctrinal divisions of buddhism that have existed from ancient times up to the present. The svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 or 45, the number is disputed agamas holy scriptures are the first and foremost of all holy texts. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two main. In the second anga, called sutrakeitanga, the following sayings are contained which give insight into the nature of jainism. Agama is a sanskrit word which signifies the coming of a body of doctrine by means of.
In both there are lot of holy books in which many are comman. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. The tattvarthasutra contains the main doctrines of the jain faith, though the two main sects have slightly different versions and composition dates. Jainism, jainism history, jainism beliefs, jainism in. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book.
The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The mythology states that the tirthankara taught in a divine preaching hall called. This page describes the philosophy of two sects of jainism. In some sects particular scriptures are still limited to certain. The principles of jainism among the sacred books of jainism, the 12 angas hold the foremost position. The two main sects of jainism are called digambar and svetambar. Hence the existing agamsutras which are accepted by the swetambar sects are not accepted by them as authentic scriptures. The suryaprajnaptisutra, a 4th or 3rd century bce astronomy text of svetambara jains. The great sects of swetambaras and digambaras are both divided into a number of schools, orders and smaller sects. Current issues regarding jainism the religion of jainism.
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