NCERT HISTORY CLASS-VI
CHAPTER-VI PART-II
JAINISM
The real founder of Jainism is Nataputta Mahavira. But, Vardhamana Mahavira (the last and 24th Tirthankara) is regarded as the man who gave Jainism at its present-day form. He also spread several messages around that time when Buddhism is also growing. He was a Kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a part group of Vajji sangha. He left all his comforts at the age of thirty, lead a lonely life in the forest, and attained enlightenment at the age of 42
His simple doctrine
- If you want to understand the truth, left Home.
- Strictly follow Ahimsa, which means not hurting or killing any livings.
- He says, "Long to live, To all things life is dear."
- Every ordinary person can understand his teachings because he and his followers used different Prakrit forms used in that region.
The followers of Mahavira were called Jainas (Jina called Conquerors). They also lead a simple and honest life, gave up their clothes, begging for food, not stealing. Even though many find it difficult like farmers and traders who have to kill insects to protect their crops, followed him, left their home, and become monks and nuns. The teachings of Mahavira were orally transmitted for several centuries, and the written form is available at Valabhi, Gujarat.
THE SANGHA
The Sangha is a place or association of people who left all their homes to understand the truth. Men and women who joined the Sangha lead a simple life meditated most of the time, routinely they go for begging food at a fixed time, also called Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (Prakrit word for beggars). They taught others, held a meeting for quarrels that took place in the sangha, wrote down the teachings, composing poems about their lives. Many had joined the sangha including Kshatriya, Brahmins, Merchants, slaves, and many because both Buddha and Mahavira felt that only those who left their home could gain knowledge.
Monasteries
The Monks of both Buddhism and Jainism traveled from place to place for teaching the people and guiding them in the right way. Over the centuries the Buddhism had spread over the subcontinent and beyond. They rarely stayed at one place that too in rainy seasons. Many supporters, kings, and landlords built temporary shelters. After that, they realized and needed permanent shelters. So that only Monasteries (Viharas) were built in different places. At first, they were built using wood, then bricks, also in caves. The local people gave clothes, food, and medicines for them in return they taught them.
Types of Ashramas
The Brahmins developed the system of Ashramas when Buddhism and Jainism were popular, There are four recognized Ashramas,
- Brahmacharya - A period of learning and abstaining from sexual relations.
- Grihastha - Getting married and live as householders
- Vanaprastha - Going to the forest to do penance at old age.
- Samnyasins - Complete renunciation (Leaving everything).
BUDDHIST TEXT
Just like the water of rivers loses their identities while flowing and joining into the mighty ocean, so Varnas, Ranks, and family identities were forgotten when the followers of buddha join the orders of monks.