Jainism is said to be as old as the Vedic religion. Twenty-four Thirthankaras are responsible for the establishment of this religion. The first of these spiritual heroes was Rishabadeva and the last one was Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Thirthankara. He popularised the doctrine of ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekantha (non-violence, limitation and unity in diversity) and opened the doors of this religion to all aspirants, Irrespective of caste or sex. Numerous ruling families supported Jainism the Gangas, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Rastrakutas, the Chalukyas of Kalyana, the Kalachuris, the Hoysalas, of the Vijayanagara empire and a host of minor princely families. Jain monuments of religious significance and artistic excellence are met with throughout the country: Mount Abu, Palitana and Shatrunjaya, Shikarji, Aihole, Koppala, Karkala, Venur, Kambadahalli, Sravanabelagola, Lakkundi, etc. The Jains left a deep impress on every aspect of Indian Culture, particularly its language, literature and the arts. Jain acharyas like Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Pujyapada, Kavi Paramesthi, Ajitasena, Jinasena, Gunabhadra and Jain poets like Pampa, Ponna, Ranna, Janna, Ratnakaravarni, Nemichandra and others enriched Kannada language and literature in numerous ways. This will succeed in earning the respect of scholars and in capturing the interest of the public.
Jainism is said to be as old as the Vedic religion. Twenty-four Thirthankaras or Path builders are responsible for the establishment of this system. The first of these was Rishabadeva and the last one was Vardhamana, known also as Mahavira (539 B.C-467 B.C) or the supreme spiritual hero. Mahavira, the 24th Thirthankara, popularized the doctrine of ahimsa (non-injury). He also organized the community into two classes, monks and householders. It was he who opened the doors of his religion to all aspirants, irrespective of caste or sex.
Jainism as a religion is ethical in nature. Five great vows (1) ahimsa, 2) satya, 3) asteya, 4) brahmacharya, and 5) aparigraha are essential for the attainment of the religious goal. Right Faith (samyag darshana), Right Knowledge (samyad jnana) and Right Conduct (samyag charitra) are known as three jewels of life (triratna) in Jainism. Jains believe in the theory of karma and rebirth.
In metaphysics, Jains propagate anekantavada or the theory of many faced reality and in epistemology the syadvada or the theory that every judgment is true from a particular perspective.
Jainism as a religion has two schools - Shvetambaras and Digambaras because of certain differing regulations regarding the life and conduct of the monks. The Digambara monks, who are supposed to be free from consciousness of their bodies, are allowed to wear no garments whatever, whereas the Swetambara monks are enjoined to wear white robes.
Mahavira had some powerful supporters to whom was due the spread of his doctrines. Some of these were kings and princes, like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru of Magadha or his own uncle king Chetaka of the Lichchhavis. In short, Jainism was a popular religion in Sauvira, Anga, Vatsa, Avanti, Magadha, Kasi, Kosala and Sravasti even during the life-time of Mahavira. Later on, it spread to other parts of India, particularly to the western and southern parts.
Numerous ruling families extended support to Jainism in Karnataka from early times - the Gangas, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Rastrakutas, the Chalukyas of Kalyana, the Kalachuris, the Hoysalas, of the Vijayanagara empire and a host of minor princely families.
The Jains left a deep impress on every aspect of Karnataka Culture, Particularly its language, literature and the arts. Jain acharyas like Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Pujyapada, Kavi Paramesthi, Ajitasena, Jinasena, Gunabhadra and others enriched Karnataka culture through their religious and philosophical writings. Jain poets like Pampa, Ponna, Ranna, Janna, Ratnakaravarni, Nemichandra and others enriched Kannada language and literature in numerous ways.
[5:49 pm, 9/4/2025] Kajal Exotic: Jain monuments of great religious significance and artistic excellence are met wil throughout the country: Mount Abu, Palitana and Shatrunjaya, Aihole, Sravanabelagol. Koppala, Karkala, Moodubidre, Venur, Kanakagiri, Kumbadahalli, Lakkundi, Mulagund and so on.
The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka held at Mysore, in October 2010, an International conference on the theme Jainism Through the Ages: A Historica Perspective. The papers read at the conference by learned scholars, both Indian and Foreign, are gathered edited and published in book form now. The scholars concerned have made sincere and honest efforts to bring out the true significance of Jaina concepts or ideas on diverse subjects.
I am very grateful to all those who have helped with the organization of this seminar in one way or the other of whom mention must be made of Jagadguru Sri Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamy of Sri Sutturu Mahasamsthana Matha, Mysore; Karmayogi Sri Sri Charukirthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Sri Kshetra Sravanabelagola; Vairagyamurthi Sri Sri Bhuvanakirti Bhattaraka Swamiji of Sri Kshetra Kanakagiri-Chamarajanagara; Padmabhushana Rajarshi Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala: Sri R.K. Jain and Sri Chakresh Jain, President and Secretary respectively of Bharatvarsheeya Digambara Jaina Tirthakshetreeya Committee; Sri Vinod Baklivala; Prof. Nalin Shastri, Bodhgaya, Sri G. P. Anantharaj; Sri Vinod Doddannavar, Belgaum; Sri D.R. Shah, Indi, Bijapur; Sri M.K. Jain, Chennai; Smt. Padmasri, Mahila Sangha, Mysore; Sri Anil Sethi, Bengaluru and Nadoja Sri Hampa Nagarajaiah.
I should like to acknowledge my debt to Sri Jayaramaraje Urs I.A.S., and to Sri Ramesh Zalki LA.S., respectively the previous and the present Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, Kannada and Culture and Information Department, Vikas Soudha, Bangalore.
In organizing this seminar the staff members of the Directorate have extended their willing assistance for which I extend my sincere thanks to all of them and especially to Dr. La. Na. Swamy, special officer of our Directorate. My particular thanks are due to Dr. H. P. Shashidharamurthy, special officer of our Directorate, for his valuable assistance in editing this volume.
I would like to place on record my appreciation of the patient and diligent supervision of the work at all stages by Sri T.S. Gangadhar, Assistant Director of the Directorate. I also thank Ms. H.S. Hemalatha of Comptek, Mysore for neat page and type setting. My thanks are due to Sri M.N. Muralidhar of Suhaas Graphics, Bengaluru, for excellent printing of the volume and cover page design.
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