RELS 108 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Himsa, Kirpan, Sikh Gurus
Document Summary
Originated in india in the 6th century bce. Rejection of the vedas, vedic sacrifice, and the caste system. Tirthankaras- the fordmakers spiritual leaders: there are 24 fordmakers throughout jain history. The 23rd tirthankara was parshva, first identifiable historical figure. The 24th tirthankara was mahavira, who is generally said to have lived from 599-527. Although for jains, mahavira is not the first fordmaker, he is generally seen and understood in the west as the founder of jainism. After a blameless youth he married princess yashoda, they had a daughter. Between the ages of 28-30 becomes mendicant ascetic, renounces world. He is referred to as a jina, or conqueror, jains are followers of jina. Continued on living after reaching moksha, dies at 72. The self is split into jiva or soul and ajiva (matter: so, one can think of the self as a soul and a physical body. Thus, the goal of jainism is to liberate soul from matter.