Jainism

Origin of Jainism

Jainism is a very ancient religion. As per some traditions, it is old as the Vedic religion.
There were 24 tirthankararas the last of which was Vardhaman Mahavira.
The first tirthankar is believed to be rishabhanath or rishabhadev.
The 23rd tirthankara was parshvanath who was born in varanasi.
He may have lived in the 8th or 7th century BC.
All the tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth.

Last Tirthankara, he was born in 540 BC;(widely accepted), he was born at kundagrama near vaisali.
His parents were Kshatriyas.
Father: Siddharth (head of Jnatrika clan)
Mother: Trishala ( sister of lichchhavi chief Chetaka; chetakas doughter married Haryanka King bimbisara).
He was married to yasoda.
Doughter: Anojja or priyadarshana.
At the age of 30, Vardhaman Mahavira renounced his home and became a wandering ascetic.
He also observed self-mortification.
He was accompanied by Makkholi gosala but later due to some difference gosala left him and founded ajivika sect.

After the age of 42, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala jnan.
He attained this at Jimbhikagrama village. under a sal tree at the bank of river Rijupalika. This is called Kaivalya.
There after, he was called Mahavira, the brave.
Jina or jitendriya (one who conquered his senses).

Mahavira delivered his sermon at pava.
He founded jain Sangha at pava (jain commune).
At the age of 72 in 468 BC, Mahavira passed away at pavapuri near Biharsharif in Bihar.