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sin to torment men, animals and insects. In fact, A scene from a panel in Sravanabelagola in
Ahimsa (non-violence) is the foremost principle Karnataka shows a nun addressing an assembly.
of this religion. They were employed as instructors to princesses,

Mahavira mainly aimed at the attainment of to teach reading, writing and various arts. There
liberation from worldly bonds and called it were nuns who specialised in astrology and logic.
Moksha. He said that after the attainment of The religion split into two sects in the 1st century
Moksha, man would not be born again in this CE— Svetambara (white-clad) and Digambara
world. According to him, this goal could be (sky-clad or naked). However, their views on
achieved if a man led a virtuous life. This was philosophy were identical.
simple practice which anyone could follow. Jain Literature
Jainism was supported by merchants and traders,
The Jains have made valuable contribution to
their’s being an occupation that flourished in the literature of India. For centuries, the teachings
peace and security. With its emphasis on Ahimsa, of Jainism were transmitted by word of mouth.
Jainism attracted the merchant and trading class. Finally, they were written and compiled in a place
Farmers found this religion unfavourable. Since called Vallabhi in Gujarat.
Jainism didn’t clearly depart from Brahmanical
The early Jains discarded the use of Sanskrit
religion, it failed to attract the masses. It spread to
which was mainly the language of the priests.
west and South India. Chandragupta Maurya
Instead, they adopted Prakrit, the language of the
became a Jain, gave up his throne and spent the
common people. The Jain literature includes
last years of his life in Karnataka as a Jain
epics, novels and dramas. Tiruvalluvar, the
ascetic. This was an important cause of the
ancient Tamil poet who composed the tirukural,
spread of Jainism in South India. Another reason
is believed to have been a Jain. Silappadikaaram
for the spread of this religion in South India was
written by Ilango Adigal and Jivaka Chintamani
a great famine that swept Magadha for 12 years.
by Tiruthakkadevar are famous Tamil epics
Many Jain monks went to the south and spread
dealing with Jainsm.
jainism there.
Jain Art and Architecture
Rules for Jain Monks
Initially, Jainism discouraged idol worship. Later,
A Jain monk must carry a whisk with which to
the Jains began to worship the images of
gently brush insects out of the way so as to not
Mahavira and the twenty-three tirthankaras who
tread on them while walking.
lived before him. Many museums in India have
He must wear a cloth over his mouth so as not to beautiful Jain sculptures.
harm insects or minute organisms by breathing
them in.
He may never light a lamp at night, walk about in
the dark or put out a fire.
It is well-known that Buddha welcomed women
to the sangha. From the times prior to Mahavira,
Jaina nunneries existed. Wandering nuns created
cultural awareness through discourses, which
were attended by all classes and without gender
discrimination.
Jain Temple at Ranakpur, Rajasthan

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