What scripture does Jainism use?

the Agamas
The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are the canonical literature – the scriptures – of Svetambara Jainism. Mahavira’s disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations.

Which language did Jains preach their doctrines?

Jainism made the first serious attempt to alleviate the evils of the varna older and the ritualistic Vedic religion The early Jainas discarded the Sanskrit language mainly patronised by the Brahmanas. They adopted Prakrit language of the common people to preach their doctrines.

Who wrote Jain Granth?

These scriptures were written by great Acharyas (scholars) from 100 to 800 A.D. and are based on the original Agam Sutras. Two Main Texts: Shatkhand-agam.

Who is known Jainism?

The name Jainism derives from the Sanskrit verb ji, “to conquer.” It refers to the ascetic battle that, it is believed, Jain renunciants (monks and nuns) must fight against the passions and bodily senses to gain enlightenment, or omniscience and purity of soul.

Does Jainism believe in god Upsc?

Belief in God: Jainism recognised the existence of god but placed them lower than Jina (Mahavira). According to Mahavira, a person is born in higher or lower varna as the consequence of the sins or the virtues in the previous birth. Thus, Jainism believes in the transmigration of the soul and the theory of Karma.

Does Jainism believe in God Upsc?

What purva 14?

The Fourteen Purvaja translated as ancient or prior knowledge, are a large body of Jain scriptures that was preached by all Tirthankaras (omniscient teachers) of Jainism encompassing the entire gamut of knowledge available in this universe.

When did Jainism originate?

Early history (7th century bce–c. 5th century ce) Scholars of religion generally hold that Jainism originated in the 7th–5th century bce in the Ganges basin of eastern India, the scene of intense religious speculation and activity at that time.

Who found Jainism?

Nataputta Mahavira
Jainism is somewhat similar to Buddhism, of which it was an important rival in India. It was founded by Vardhamana Jnatiputra or Nataputta Mahavira (599-527 BC), called Jina (Spiritual Conqueror), a contemporary of Buddha.

What does purva mean?

Meaning of the name Purva is ‘Elder, breeze’. Purva is a name of Hindu / Indian origin, and is commonly used for females. The name number for Purva is ‘6’.

What is the official language of Jainism?

Jain Prakrit is a term loosely used for the language of the Jain Agamas (canonical texts). The books of Jainism were written in the popular vernacular dialects (as opposed to Sanskrit which was the classical standard of Brahmanism), and therefore encompass a number of related dialects.

What is the root language of the Jain scriptures?

So you can say that basically there are 2 languages : Praakrit and Sanskrit as root languages. The language of the Jain scriptures is called Ardha-Magadhi. It is a refined version of the Magadhi Prakrit. Please see below answer for more details.

What is the oldest literature in Jainism?

The oldest Jain literature is in Shauraseni and the Jain Prakrit (the Jain Agamas, Agama-Tulya, the Siddhanta texts, etc.). Many classical texts are in Sanskrit (Tattvartha Sutra, Puranas, Kosh, Sravakacara, mathematics, Nighantus etc.).

What language are the Jain Agamas written in?

The Jain Agamas and their commentaries were composed mainly in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit as well as in Maharashtri Prakrit.