{"id":2861,"date":"2026-09-25T12:30:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T07:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=2861"},"modified":"2026-09-25T15:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T09:33:37","slug":"jainism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jainism\/","title":{"rendered":"Jainism, Founder, Symbol, Teachings, Beliefs, God"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Jainism<\/strong> is one of the ancient \u015arama\u1e47a traditions of India, associated particularly with Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. It emphasises Ahimsa (non-violence), truth, non-possession and self-discipline as the means to overcome karma and attain Moksha. Jainism developed a distinctive philosophical tradition based on ideas such as Anekantavada (many-sidedness of reality) and Syadvada (conditional assertion).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism made a lasting contribution to Indian philosophy, ethics, literature, art and architecture, particularly through its strong emphasis on non-violence and religious tolerance. However, its growth faced challenges such as the rigorous nature of its monastic practices, competition from Buddhism and Brahmanical traditions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Founder and History<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to Jaina traditions, twenty-four Tirthankaras were responsible for the origin and development of Jaina religion and philosophy. Of these, the first twenty-two are of doubtful historicity. In the case of the last two, Parsvanatha and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/vardhaman-mahavira\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vardhaman Mahavira<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Buddhist works confirm their historicity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Adinath\/Rishabhdev: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first Tirthankara (supreme preacher) and establisher of the Ikshvaku dynasty.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Ajita: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The second Tirthankara<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Neminatha: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The twenty-second Tirthankara<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Parsvanatha: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to Jaina tradition, the twenty-third Tirthankara, Parsvanatha, was the son of King Asvasena of Varanasi and Queen Vama.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parsvanatha believed in the eternity of \u2018matter\u2019.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The followers of Parsvanatha wore white garments.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thus, it is clear that even before Mahavira, some kind of Jaina faith existed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Mahavira: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The twenty-fourth Tirthankara was Vardhamana Mahavira.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahavira and his life<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 24th Tirthankara was Vardhamana Mahavira, born in Kundagrama (Basukunda), a suburb of Vaishali (Bihar), in 540 BC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Parents:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Father Siddhartha (head of the Jnatrikas, a Kshatriya clan) and mother, Trishala, a Lichchavi princess.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Spouse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Yashoda<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Vardhaman Mahavira Asceticism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At the age of thirty, Vardhamana left his home and became an ascetic. For twelve years, he lived the life of an ascetic following severe austerities. In the 13th year of his asceticism, at the age of 42, he attained the \u2018Supreme Knowledge\u2019 (Kaivalya).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Titles:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> He was later known as \u2018Mahavira\u2019 (the supreme hero) or \u2018Jina\u2019 (the conqueror). He was also hailed as \u2018Nirgrantha\u2019.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Preachings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> For the next thirty years, he moved from place to place and preached his doctrines in Kosala, Magadha, and further east.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Patronage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> He often visited the courts of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Death:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> He died at Pawa (near Rajagriha) in Patna district at the age of 72 (468 BC).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Causes for Rise of Jainism in India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The primary cause of the rise of Jainism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century BC. Other major factors include:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Complex religious practices:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/later-vedic-period\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> later Vedic period<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Indian society had many complex rituals and sacrifices that were unacceptable to the common people.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, the sacrificial ceremonies were too expensive, and the superstitious beliefs and mantras confused people.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Domination of Brahmans: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Brahmans stated themselves as the upper Varna with the highest status in society and demanded several privileges. Thus, these systems naturally divided society and generated tensions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Opposition from Kshatriyas and Vaishyas: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They reacted strongly against the ritualistic domination of the Brahmans.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>The equality of Jainism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Attracted the masses, which gave relief from the discriminations of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/varna-system\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Varna system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Use of Simple Language<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mahavira\u2019s religious message was in simple language. The masses were drawn to it because it was in the language they spoke and understood better. Acceptance by the masses soon led to its spread.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Simple Doctrine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Vardhaman Mahavira\u2019s Jainism came to the masses as a welcome relief.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Non\u00adviolence and other practical moralities that Jainism advocated attracted people to it.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its edge over the Vedic religion was a comparatively easier way to liberation, thereby gaining wider adherence throughout India.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Spread to Other Parts of India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism spread to different parts of India during Mahavira's lifetime and after his death. Several factors are responsible for its spread.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Contribution of Mahavira<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mahavira moved from place to place and preached his teachings.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His simple way of life, penance, and austerity attracted people towards him.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahavira had eleven disciples known as Ganadharas, or heads of schools.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arya Sudharma was the only Ganadhara who survived after the death of Mahavira. Mahavira became the first \u2018Thera\u2019 (chief preceptor).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Role of Jain Monks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Jain monks spread Jainism by visiting several places and holding scholarly discussions, exhibiting their personal examples of simplicity, which could significantly influence the people.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Royal Patronage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The followers of Mahavira slowly spread over the whole country. In many regions, royal patronage was bestowed on Jainism.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to Jaina tradition, Udayin, the successor of Ajatasatru, was a devoted Jaina.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chandragupta Maurya was a follower of Jainism, and he migrated with Bhadrabahu to the south and spread Jainism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the early centuries of the Christian Era, Mathura and Ujjain became great centres of Jainism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Two Theras administered the Jaina order in the days of the late Nanda King: Sambhutavijaya and Bhadrabahu. The sixth Thera was Bhadrabahu, a contemporary of Maurya King Chandragupta Maurya.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Councils<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jain-councils\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jain Councils<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> were important gatherings of Jain monks held to preserve, organise and compile the teachings of Mahavira. They became particularly important as Jain traditions were transmitted orally and differences emerged among monastic groups.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>First Jain Council: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The First Jain Council was held at Pataliputra around 300 BCE and was presided over by Sthulabhadra, under the patronage of Chandragupta Maurya.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It played an important role in preserving Jain teachings, with the Jain canon being organised into 12 Angas (sections).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Second Jain Council: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi around 512 CE under the leadership of Devardhigani Kshemasarmana. It contributed to the further compilation and preservation of Jain scriptures, including the Angas and Upangas (minor sections).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Teachings of Mahavira<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The ultimate objective of Mahavira\u2019s teachings is how one can attain total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and death and achieve the permanent blissful state of oneself. This is also known as liberation, Nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>The Idea of God:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> He believed that the world was not created by any supreme creator. The world functions according to an eternal law of decay and development.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>View on Vedas: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He rejected the authority of the Vedas and objected to Vedic rituals and the supremacy of the Brahmanas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Three Jewels\/Ratnatraya<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Three Jewels are the three essential principles in Jainism for attaining Moksha (liberation):<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Samyak Darshan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Right faith or right belief.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Samyak Gyan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Right knowledge.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Samyak Charitra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Right conduct or right action.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Jainism Core Beliefs<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahavira accepted most of the religious doctrines laid down by Parsvanatha. However, he made some alterations and additions to them. The five doctrines of Jainism (five vows), known as Panchamahavratas, are for the monks.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>4 doctrines advocated by Parsvanath<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>5th Doctrine added by Mahavira<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ahimsa:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> do not commit violence<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Satya: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">do not tell a lie<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Asteya: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">do not steal<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Aparigraha:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> do not hoard<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Brahmacharya:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> observe continence<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Anuvratas: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A code of conduct was prescribed for both householders and monks. To avoid evil karma, a householder had to observe the five vows (in their limited nature).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism believed that the monastic life was essential to attaining salvation, and a householder could not attain it. A monk had to observe certain strict rules and abandon worldly possessions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">God in Jainism<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism does not recognise a creator God. Instead, Jains revere liberated souls and enlightened spiritual teachers known as Tirthankaras.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>No Creator God:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Jain philosophy holds that the universe is eternal and functions according to its own natural and cosmic principles rather than being created or controlled by a deity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Liberated Souls (Paramatma):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In Jainism, a liberated soul becomes a supreme spiritual being after eliminating all karmic bondage. Such a soul attains infinite knowledge, eternal bliss, and complete liberation, or moksha.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Spiritual Potential of Every Soul:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Jainism teaches that every living soul possesses the potential to attain this liberated state through right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, self-discipline, and spiritual purification.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Symbols<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism has 8 Auspicious Symbols that hold significant meaning for its followers. Here are some of the key symbols of Jainism:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Swastika<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - It signifies the peace and well-being of humans.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Nandavarta <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- It is a large swastika with nine endpoints.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Bhadrasana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - A throne is said to be sanctified by the Jains\u2019 feet.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Shrivatsa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - A mark that manifests on the chest of Tirthankara's image and signifies his pure soul.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Darpana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - The mirror which reflects the inner self.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Minayugala<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - A couple of fish which signifies the conquest over sexual urges.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Vardhamanaka<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - A shallow dish is used as a lamp, which shows the increase in wealth, due, and merit.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Kalasha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> - A pot filled with pure water.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/strapi\/8_Symbols_of_Jainism_a4cdeb556d.jpg\" alt=\"8 Symbols of Jainism\" width=\"482\" height=\"385\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Five Types of Knowledge<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to Jainism, knowledge is the quality of the soul. Understanding and acquiring knowledge are attained through pramana (instruments of knowledge) and naya (points of view).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mati Jnana:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Perception through the activity of sense organs, including the mind.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sruta Jnana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Knowledge revealed by the scriptures.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Avadhi Jnana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Clairvoyant perception.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Manahparyaya Jnana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Telepathic knowledge<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Kevala Jnana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Temporal knowledge or omniscience.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahavira\u2019s teachings were orally transmitted to people. His disciples, Ganadharas, wrote them down in the text form of fourteen \u2018Purvas\u2019 and twelve Angas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Among the 12 Angas, the Acharanga sutta and Bhagavati sutta are the most important. While the former deals with the code of conduct which a Jain monk must follow, the latter expounds the Jaina doctrines comprehensively.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Doctrine of Syadvada and Anekantavada<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Syadvada (Theory of Judgement): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Jain view that all our ordinary knowledge is necessarily partial, always relative to some particular point of view and particular aspects of objects, is known as Syadvada.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to this concept, identity and difference must exist in reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Anekantavada: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to this doctrine, ultimate truth and reality are complex and have multiple aspects.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anekantavada has also been interpreted to mean non-absolutism, intellectual ahimsa, religious pluralism, and rejection of fanaticism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Sects<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Jain order has been divided into two major sects: Svetambara and Digambara<\/span><b>.<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Reason for division: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The division occurred mainly due to famine in Magadh, which compelled a group led by Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya to move to South India (Shravan Belgola) in 298 BC.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The leader of the group that stayed back at Magadha was Sthulbhadra.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the 12 years of famine, the group in South India stuck to the strict practices, while the group in Magadha adopted a more lax attitude and started wearing white clothes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During later years, further splits took place among both sections, the most important of them being one that renounced idol worship altogether and devoted itself to worshipping the scriptures.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They were called the Terapanthis among the Svetambaras and the Samaiyas<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">among the Digambaras. (This sect came into existence about the sixth century CE).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Sects<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Digambaras<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Svetambaras<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Led by<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhadrabahu<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sthulbhadra<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>View on Clothing<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- They do not wear clothes, as this sect believes in complete nudity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Female monks wear unstitched, plain white sarees and are called Aryikas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- They wear simple white clothes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Question on women\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- They believed that women could not be Tirthankaras and Malli was a man.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- They believe that Tirthankaras can be men or women.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Follow the teachings of<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Mahavira, that is, \u201cPancha Mahavratas\u201d, to attain Kaivalya.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Preachings of Parshvanatha, that is, only four restraints (except Brahmacharya).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Follow the Jain literature<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Prakrit Suttapahuda of Kundakunda.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Believed in the validity and sacredness of the twelve angas and sutras.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Food for omniscient<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Once a saint becomes a kevali<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">or Kevala-jnani,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that is, omniscient, he needs no morsel of food.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- This view is not acceptable to the Svetambaras.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Idols of Tirthankaras<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- They represent the idols of Tirthankaras as nude. Unadorned and with downcast eyes in a contemplative mood.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- Depicts the idols of Tirthankars as wearing a loincloth adorned with jewels and with glass eyes inserted in the marble.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sub-sects of Jainism under Digambaras and Svetambaras<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Digambaras<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Svetambaras<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Mula Sangh:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Associated with Acharya Kundakunda.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The oldest known from 430 AD.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Branches: Nandi Gana, Sena Gana, Deva Gana, Simha Gana.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Bisapantha:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They worship Tirthankaras, Yakshas and Yakshinis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their religious practices include aarti and offerings of flowers, fruits, and prasad.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhattarakas are considered dharma gurus.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They are concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Digambar Terapantha:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Worship idols with \u2018ashtadravya\u2019, but replace flowers and fruits with dry substitutes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They do not accept Bhattarakas and worship only Tirthankaras.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Taranpantha:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Taranapanthis strongly refute idolatry, but they have their own temples where they keep their sacred books for worship.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Taranapanthis give more importance to spiritual values and the study of sacred literature.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Sthanakavasi:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They believe in praying to Saints rather than to an idol in a temple.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The saints wear a muhapatti near their mouth to cover it, unlike Murtipujakas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Murtipujaka (Deravasi):<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They keep idols of the Tirthankaras at their temples and worship them\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Saints do not wear a muhapatti.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- <\/span><b>Terapanthi:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They pray to saints rather than to an idol in a temple, like Sthanakavasi.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Terapanthi saints also wear a muhapatti near their mouth to cover it.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Literature<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jain-literature\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jain literature<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> developed in Prakrit, Sanskrit, and regional languages and is broadly divided into canonical (Agama) and non-canonical literature.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agamas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The canonical scriptures of Jainism, traditionally preserving the teachings of Mahavira. The Agamas are primarily associated with the \u015avet\u0101mbara tradition.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Angas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The principal divisions of the Jain canon, traditionally organised into 12 Angas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Upangas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Supplementary texts associated with the Angas and forming part of the Jain scriptural tradition.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Kalpasutra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> An important Jain text containing accounts of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras, traditionally attributed to Bhadrabahu.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tattvartha Sutra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A major Sanskrit philosophical work attributed to Umasvati (Umasvami), presenting a systematic summary of Jain doctrine. It is recognised across the major Jain traditions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Samayasara:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A major philosophical work attributed to Acharya Kundakunda, focusing on the nature of the soul and spiritual liberation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Non-Agama Literature:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Includes commentaries, philosophical works and independent writings composed in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha and several regional languages.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Significance<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism made lasting contributions to religion, society, philosophy, ethics and Indian culture. Its emphasis on non-violence, self-restraint and intellectual openness influenced Indian social and religious traditions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Religious and Ethical Reform:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Emphasised Ahimsa, self-restraint, truth and Aparigraha, providing a strong ethical framework for religious life.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Social Equality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promoted the idea of social equality and opposed discrimination based on gender, contributing to changes in social thought.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Intellectual Tolerance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Anekantavada recognised the many-sided nature of reality and encouraged consideration of different viewpoints.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Literature and Education:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Jain scholars contributed to Prakrit and regional literature, while Jain institutions supported the study of languages, philosophy and religious texts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Art and Architecture:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Jainism enriched Indian cultural heritage through cave architecture, temples, paintings and sculptures, including important Jain monuments at places such as Mount Abu and Shravanabelagola.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism vs Hinduism<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hinduism and Jainism are ancient Indian religious traditions that share concepts such as karma, samsara and liberation, while differing significantly in their views of God, the nature of the universe, scriptural authority, karma and the path to liberation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Creator God:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Hinduism believes in a supreme reality (Brahman) and creator deities like Brahma. Jainism rejects a creator god, viewing the universe as eternal and self-sustaining.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Nature of Karma:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In Hindu traditions, karma generally refers to the moral consequences of actions that influence future experiences and rebirth. Different Hindu schools explain the relationship between karma, the self and divine reality differently. Jainism has a distinctive doctrine in which karma is understood as extremely subtle material particles (karma-pudgala) that become bound to the soul through actions and passions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Path to Liberation (Moksha): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hinduism teaches that salvation comes through self-realisation, devotion, and divine grace. Jainism teaches that liberation requires strict personal effort and adherence to the Three Jewels (Right Perception, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Non-Violence (Ahimsa):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Both Hinduism and Jainism value ahimsa. However, Jainism gives exceptionally strict and comprehensive importance to non-violence, extending it to thought, speech and action<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Authority of Scriptures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Vedas hold foundational scriptural authority in Hindu traditions, particularly within the orthodox (\u0101stika) philosophical schools. Hinduism also draws on texts such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Puranas. Jainism belongs to the \u015arama\u1e47a tradition and does not accept the Vedas as the supreme scriptural authority.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Core Concepts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Both Hinduism and Jainism teach karma and samsara, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and regard liberation from samsara as an important spiritual goal.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism vs Buddhism<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism and Buddhism are two distinct Indian religious traditions that emerged in ancient north India and share ideas such as karma, rebirth, renunciation, and liberation. However, they differ fundamentally on the nature of the soul, the meaning of karma, the path to liberation, and the degree of asceticism required.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Aspect<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Jainism<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Buddhism<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Soul<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Accepts an eternal, individual soul, called jiva. Every living being possesses jiva.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rejects a permanent, unchanging soul or self; this doctrine is called anatta\/anatman (\u201cnot-self\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Ultimate problem<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The soul is bound by karma and therefore remains in samsara, the cycle of rebirth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beings experience dukkha\u2014often translated as suffering, dissatisfaction, or unsatisfactoriness\u2014because of craving, ignorance, and attachment.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Karma<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Karma is understood as a subtle material bondage that attaches to the soul through passions and actions. Liberation requires stopping new karmic influx and removing accumulated karma.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Karma primarily concerns intentional action. It shapes future experience and rebirth, but Buddhism does not treat karma as material particles adhering to a permanent soul.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Final goal<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moksha or kevala\/kevalajnana: the fully purified soul is liberated from karmic bondage and rebirth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nirvana\/nibbana: the extinguishing of craving, ignorance, and the conditions that sustain suffering and rebirth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Path<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Three Jewels: right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct; ethical vows, self-restraint, and austerity are central.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path: ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Asceticism<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generally emphasises much stricter ascetic discipline, especially for monks and nuns.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rejects both sensual indulgence and self-mortification; the Buddha taught the Middle Way.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Non-violence<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ahimsa is the supreme ethical principle and is interpreted with exceptional strictness, extending to even minute living beings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Non-harming is a major ethical commitment, but Buddhist practice is generally less stringent in daily rules concerning accidental harm to small organisms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>God and creator<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does not accept an all-powerful creator God. Liberated Tirthankaras are revered but are not creators who govern the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does not make belief in a creator God necessary for liberation. Devas may exist in Buddhist cosmology, but they are not eternal creators and remain within samsara.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Decline<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The decline of Jainism as a major mass religion was gradual rather than sudden. Although it retained strong communities in several regions, its wider expansion was limited by competition from Buddhism and Brahmanical traditions, changes in royal patronage and the demanding nature of its religious practices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Limited Mass Appeal:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Strict practices such as Ahimsa, fasting and asceticism made Jainism particularly demanding for ordinary followers.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Competition from Other Traditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The growth of Brahmanical traditions and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/buddhism\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buddhism <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">reduced the relative influence of Jainism in several regions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Loss of Royal Patronage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Changes in political power and the decline of some Jain-supporting rulers reduced institutional support in certain areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Internal Divisions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The division between Digambara and Svetambara traditions contributed to institutional differences within Jainism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism Relevance in Today's World<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The doctrines of Jainism with respect to the contemporary world situation are found to be very much relevant. With these doctrines of Jainism, we can bring back peace and harmony in society and the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Anektavada:<\/strong> It teaches<span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(230, 232, 240);\"> tolerance and the acceptance of diverse perspectives. In a polarised digital world, it counters dogmatism and fosters empathy during disagreements.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Non-violence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The principle of non-violence gained prominence in today's nuclear-weapon world to attain long-lasting peace in society.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Aparigraha:<\/strong> The principle of Aparigraha can help to control consumerist habits as there is a great increase in greed and possessive tendencies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Doctrine of Triratna:<\/strong> The doctrine of Triratna is relevant to present-time situations, which can liberate the souls of women along with men from subjugation to liberty and freedom.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(230, 232, 240);\"><strong class=\"rQesXe MPyX\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(230, 232, 240);\"><span class=\"yADgie\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(230, 232, 240);\">Ethical Living &amp; Business:<\/span><!--TgQPHd|||[]--><\/strong><span class=\"yADgie\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(230, 232, 240);\"> Promotes honesty, fair trade, transparency, and corporate social responsibility, guiding sustainable economic practices.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Among the four main forms of existence of life recognised in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?<\/span><b> (UPSC Prelims 2026)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) Deva (gods)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) Yaksha (demi-gods)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) Manushya (humans)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q2: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSouls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2023)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) Buddhism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) Jainism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) Shaivism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) Vaishnavism<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q3:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:<\/span><b> (UPSC Prelims 2022)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nettipakarana<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parishishtaparvan<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avadanashataka<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Which of the above are Jaina texts?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2 and 4 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1, 3 and 4<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2, 3 and 4<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q4:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> With reference to the religious practices in India, the \"Sthanakvasi\" sect belongs to <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2018)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buddhism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jainism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaishnavism<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shaivism<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q5: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2017)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary but existed forever in a latent form.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha\">\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Both 1 and 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Neither 1 nor 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 175px\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Other Related Posts<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jainism\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jainism<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mauryan-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mauryan Administration<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/vardhaman-mahavira\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vardhaman Mahavira<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ashoka\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ashoka<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jain-councils\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jain Councils<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/post-mauryan-period\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Post Mauryan Period<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sects-of-jainism\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sects of Jainism<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indo-greek-kingdom\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Indo-Greek Kingdom<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jainism-and-buddhism\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Buddhism and Jainism<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sangam-literature\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sangam Age<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mauryan-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mauryan Empire<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center;height: 25px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/kushan-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Kushan Empire<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jainism is an ancient Indian religion based on non-violence, truth, self-discipline, and liberation of the soul. Read about Jainism, Founder, Symbol, Teachings, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":16687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,18],"tags":[127,40,1085],"class_list":["post-2861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-ancient-history-notes","tag-jainism","tag-quest","tag-upsc-ancient-history-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2861"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30340,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2861\/revisions\/30340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}