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Founder
of contemporary Jainism (2500 years old): Nataputta Vardhamana (aka
"Mahavira")
It might be suggested that
an early form of Jainism was present in India long before the Aryans
entered. Thus Jainism may be what the spiritual life of India would be had it
not been for the Vedic influences of the Aryan culture. Evidence for Jain ascetic
practice (meditation posture) can be seen in some of the most ancient archeological
finds representing the indigenous culture of the Indus
River Valley.
Legendary Jainism traces
its origins back to unknown ages with 23 Tirthankaras (great teachers)
preceding the historic Mahavira.
Learn
more about Tirthankaras and the 24 great teachers identified by Jainism
(follow the links from each name to learn details about the life of each)
There is no creation (thus
no creator god) in Jain thought, rather cycles of time are eternally repeated
(like a clock):
-
first quarter: life is
a paradise with no need for religion ("Eden"?).
-
second quarter: things
begin to turn downhill with need for patriarchal leadership by kings.
-
third quarter: need for
prophets and spiritual leaders/teachers and the great religions come into
existence.
-
fourth quarter: things
are in so much decline that prophets and enlightened beings can no longer
impact on existence.
Mahavira, 2500 years
ago, was the last of the great enlightened teachers toward the end of the third
quarter of this cycle of time. We are now in the final stage of the current
cycle (the Hindu Kali Yuga).
-
The name "Mahavira"
is actually a title meaning "great hero". He was born Nataputta
Vardhamana, of Noble lineage (a Kshatriya),
in Northeast India during period of Upanishadic
transition - 6th cent. BCE (the "Axis Age").
-
Nataputta was drawn to
the ascetic life of a monk, joined monks after parents died at the age of 30
(took vows of renunciation).
-
He spent 12 years in
practice of strict asceticism and
ahimsa (non-violence).
-
Achieved liberation,
enlightenment, becoming a Jina ("conqueror," enlightened
being), Mahavira ("great [Maha] hero" Mahatma = "great
soul"), the 24th and final Tirthankara (spiritual teacher, a "fordmaker" - one who forges the way for
others).
-
Spent the rest of his
life (another 30 years) teaching others to achieve their own salvation as he
had (it is from the term "Jina" that this religion gets it's name:
the ultimate goal is to become a Jain - an enlightened being).
-
Upon his death,
Mahavira, like Tirthankaras before him and like anyone who achieves the
level of Jina, became a "Siddha" - a soul freed (liberated) from
matter, ending the round of samsara (reincarnation) and entering moksha or
nirvana (review Hindu
metaphysics).
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