Epitome Of Jainism: Jainism As An Independent Religion

Jainism has long been erroneously considered as an offshoot of Hinduism. To establish this fact many articles and books have been written. Some semblance in ethical code of both the religions led the scholars to think deep in these terms. But it was Mr. Jacobi, a great German scholar and an ardent lover of Jainism who worked hard and brought the facts into limelight. His strenuous research and tireless efforts manifested and established that Jainism has its own independent existence and is much older than Hinduism. This fact is now accepted by one and all.

Secondly, Dr. Jacobi has removed many doubts, suspicions and superstitions pertaining to Jainism. Scholars doubt as to whether the Jains or the Budhists were of earlier origin. This doubt had resulted from some similarities in doctrines and rituals of these two great religions.

Jainism came into existence long before Buddha’s time. Lord Mahavir was the 24th Tirthankara of the Jains and Rishabh was the first. In between these two Tirthankaras Several centuries had passed and as such it can easily be gathered that Jainism had an ancient past. Mahavir was not the founder of Jainism, but a great revolutionary and radical figure who brought about various changes in accordance with the time. Lord Parshva was the 23rd Tirthankara, who flourished 250 years before Mahavir. Buddha was a contemporary of Mahavir.

Let us confine our study to the historical person age of Lord Parshva and Mahavira.

Parshva was born in the age which was replete with the barbarous penances in which bodily tortures were explicit. Thousands of hermits dwelt in forests, engaged in severe penances and austerities. They had a pervading spell over the masses who frequently visited them to get the blessings. Bodily tortures were held in high esteem and the hermits undergoing such tortures were considered next to God. Hypocrisy ruled the minds of the masses.

Parshva too visited these places and was stirred to the extreme. He revolted against it and declared—"These severe penances can never lead to emancipation. These practices are void as they are based on ignorance. Knowledge is light. ‘Light emanates from light. Any ritual, which accrues from right knowledge, is endorsable. The polymorphous personality of these hermits lead to the labyrinth of inextricable difficulties. They are groping in darkness. One who is in dark can neither know the truth nor can lead others to light. Ignorance breeds ignorance, darkness engenders darkness”.

These thoughts brought about a great revolution in the sphere of philosophy Parshva gained celebrity status. People heard him patiently.

Parshva resolved to renounce the world. He became an ascetic in Jain creed. He abandoned his vast empire of Kashi, which was a flourishing state in India. He survived for 100 years and established a systematic organization for monks and nuns. He was a great apostle of peace and compassion. He travelled to different part of India and influenced the people in thought and deed. He brought about a great reformation and thus a new culture was established in Kashi Kingdom and its surrounding regions which came under his spell.