What is Jainism?
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion and is also known as Jain dharma. This religion is mainly based on the five principles of ahimsa (nonviolence). Satya (truth), Asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (sexual continence), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). These principles play a very important role in Jainism. They affect this religion differently, and people practicing this religion lead a vegetarian life. Asceticism, that is, abstinence from sensual pleasure is an important principle of this religion.
Jainism is one of the oldest religions in India. Jains celebrate their 24 leaders or Tirthankaras and worship them. They follow their life path and follow their views and ideas. Rishabhadeva was the first in the 24 Tirthankar list. The last and twenty-fourth leader in the 24 Tirthankar name list is Mahavira.
Jainism is the oldest practiced religion. Also, it has two major ancient cults- Digambaras and Svetambaras. Many people practicing this religion reside in India. Outside India, some largest Jain communities are found in Canada, Europe, and the United States. In Jainism, it is very important to know about the list of Tirthankaras.
People practicing other religions may not have any idea about this list of Tirthankara of Jainism. We can say that the 24 Tirthankara name list symbolizes the Jain gods. Jains worship the Tirthankaras, and every Tirthankaras have different symbols. All these symbols are mentioned in the list of Tirthankara of Jainism.
Philosophy of Jainism Religion
Dravya: It means an entity in Sanskrit. According to Jainism, this universe is made up of six entities: jiva (soul), time (Kala), space (Akash), the principle of rest (Adharma), the principle of motion (dharma), non-sentient substances (pudgala). These are differentiated into jiva and ajiva.
Tattva: This means reality and truth in Jain Dharma. According to Jain philosophy, there are seven tattvas: jiva, ajiva, asrava, bandha, samvara, nirjara, and moksha. There are two more tattvas in this religion: good karma (Punya) and bad karma (paap). The spiritual goal is to reach the moksha. And most Jain believe that it can be achieved by just doing Punya for better rebirth and to take a step closer to liberation.
Soul and karma: there are numerous souls, but three things identify this. That is consciousness (called Chaitanya, and this is the most important one), second is bliss (sukha), and third is vibrational energy (virya). They believe the soul is clothed with material bodies. In contrast, karma is the most important thing that decides the rebirth of the soul. This gives a spiritual potential to the soul for the reincarnation process. They believe that karma is the only thing that is bound with the soul from birth to death. And your karma only decides the future.
Samsara: The main concept of this is the difference between Jainism and other religions. Jain people believe that the soul is the only truth, which is also in Hinduism, but Buddhism does not believe in this concept. They believe that each soul needs to pass through 8,400,000 birth situations to complete the cycle through Samara. They go through five different bodies like earth bodies, water bodies, air bodies, fire bodies, and vegetable lives. Jainism believes that a soul starts its journey in the primordial stage, then evolves to a higher state and functions according to karma. Harming any life is sin in this, which is called a negative karmic effect in the Jain religion.
People often want to know about the list of Jain Tirthankaras. To give you a better summary to understand, here Is the 24 Jain Tirthankara names list.
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24 Jain Tirthankar Names List
Here is the list of Jain Tirthankaras for better understanding. This Tirthankaras list has all 24 Tirthankaras which are worshipped in Jain Dharma.
This list of Tirthankaras gives you an idea about their symbols, the place of nirvana, and many other details.
This is the compiled list of Tirthankara of Jainism. This Tirthankaras list will help you to get an overall knowledge of Jainism. And this 24 Tirthankar name list is very important for the person who wants to join Jainism.
FAQs on List of Jain Tirthankaras
1. What is the Difference Between Hinduism and Jainism?
Ans: There is not much difference between Hinduism and Jainism. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. Hindu people believe that this world was created by the god Brahma. But Jain people believe that this universe is eternal and powerful. It was never created by one god only. The world is eternal, and how anyone can create that. Hinduism believes in nonviolence, but if violence is needed to get a victory then it is permitted, Mahabharata and Ramayana are good examples of this. But Jainism always believed in nonviolence; violence is not acceptable in any case.
In Hinduism, people worship many gods but not in the case of Jainism. They worship their 24 Tirthankara that is mentioned in the 24 Jain Tirthankar name list and celestial bodies. But Hindu people do not follow this Tirthankara list. Hinduism also has different castes and classes, but there is no such division in Jainism. In Hinduism, there are different stages of life like brahmacharya, grihastha ashram. Vanaprastha Ashram, and sannyasa ashram. While Jainism does not have such stages in human life, their entire lives mainly focus on attaining liberation.
Hindu people are worldwide, but Jain is confined to India only and particularly Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat region.
2. What are the Similarities Between Hinduism and Jainism?
Ans: They have many similarities. Both Hinduism and Jainism people believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is the process or cycle of birth and death. They both believe in nonviolence, but this violence is acceptable in the case of self-defense. In case you want to protect yourself this is permit-able. Meditation has a big role in both Hinduism and Jainism. It is important to take control of yourself and to avoid violence. Both Hinduism and Jainism people prefer vegetarian food for consumption purposes. But some people in Hinduism also consume non-vegetarian food, and it is all about their preference. Both of the religions have a hard belief in the concept of moksha, samsara, karma.
3. Can Different Religious People Become Jain?
Ans: Yes, people can convert their religion to Jainism, but they need to do some work before that. Need to follow some steps to accept Jainism. They need to follow the list of Tirthankaras. These are the steps:
Learn Jainism: it is one of the ancient philosophies of India. Also known as Jain dharma. Prefers the path of nonviolence and also leads other people in this direction. They believe in inequality in all forms of life.
Learn five core beliefs: non-violence( ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (asteya), brahmacharya (celibacy), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). these are the five core beliefs of Jainism.
Need to perform six essential duties to achieve ahimsa, and meditation is one of those six essential duties.
Need to know about Jain holy books and need to know about Tirthankaras mentioned in 24 Tirthankara list. Need to chant mantras every day and need to visit temples.
4. What is Soul According to Jainism?
Ans: In Jainism, the soul is also known as jiva. It is one of the tattvas of the universe. The Jain metaphysics believes that this world is divided into two independent universes. One is jiva that is a soul, and the second is ajiva that is non-soul. They believe it is one of the six dravyas of the universe. Jain's philosophy says that rebirth occurs through this soul. They have a hard belief in the process of reincarnation. The beginning of this journey of the soul starts in a primordial state. Their karma defines all this. So, Jainism believes that every soul is a supreme soul, and we need to separate that supreme soul from bad karma to attain moksha in life. They do not believe in a single god. They have believed in Tirthankaras that are mentioned in the list of Jain Tirthankaras.
