Liber XVIII · Jainism
Introduction
Mahavira, the Tirthankaras and the path of non-violence.
Jainism is an ancient religion of India that teaches liberation of the soul through non-violence, self-discipline and right knowledge. Jains revere twenty-four Tirthankaras, 'ford-makers' who crossed the river of rebirth, the last of whom, Mahavira, was a contemporary of the Buddha in the sixth or fifth century BCE. This section covers the Tirthankaras, Jain teachings on the soul, karma and many-sidedness, the vows of ahimsa (non-violence), the Digambara and Shvetambara traditions, ascetic life and the ritual of fasting to death, Jain cosmology, and temples and pilgrimage.
7 min readWhat Is Jainism? Beliefs, History and Practice of the JainsWhat is Jainism? An introduction to the Jain religion: Mahavira and the Tirthankaras, soul and karma, ahimsa, the two sects, temples and festivals.8 min readHistory of Jainism: From Mahavira to the Global DiasporaA history of Jainism from Mahavira and the Mauryas through Karnataka, Gujarat and the Mughal court to colonial scholarship, modern India and the diaspora.8 min readJainism and Buddhism Compared: Shared Roots, Different PathsJainism and Buddhism compared: two shramana religions of ancient India, their founders, views of soul and karma, ascetic discipline, ethics and history.