Jainism, a religion that originated in ancient India, teaches a path of enlightenment, purity and non-violence. The spiritual teachers of the religion are referred to as ‘Tirthankaras’. The 24 Tirthankaras played an essential role in the spread of the religion. The main reason for the rise of Jainism was the religious and social factors of the later Vedic age. The religion of the later Vedic period became highly complex and expensive as it involved various rituals and sacrifices. Also, the society of the later Vedic period followed a rigid caste system, thus creating inequality. Therefore, people shifted to Jainism as an escape from society’s religious and social unrest.

A summary of the teaching of Jainism

Jainism is thought to have its roots in twenty-four teachers or Tirthankaras. Vardhamana Mahavira, the most recent of these teachers, lived probably during the Buddha’s lifetime.

• In the present age, Jainism emphasises absolute perfection and purification of the soul.
• Jain devotees do not seek instant enlightenment. Instead, they pursue a life of discipline and nonviolence.
• The Jains believe that the soul can only achieve eternal relief (moksha) from the physical body when it is free of all attachments. Karma prevents the soul from reaching this state— the soul becomes a part of the physical body through multiple births due to fragments of material produced by human actions.

Time and the universe

• Human development progresses upwards on the ascending arc (utsarpini) while it deteriorates downwards on the descending arc (avasarpini). The Jains consider time to be eternal and formless. They see it as a wheel containing 12 spokes (ara). There are six arcs descending and six ascending across the wheel. Two of these cycles connected form a single rotation called the Kalpa, each repeating without a beginning or end.
• Jainism presents the world and its complexity more logically than Hinduism or Buddhism. 
• The five elements of Jainism are incorruptible and eternal, but their ever-changing structure reflects three aspects: emergence, stability, and collapse.
• The five elements are:
  • Soul
  • Matter
  • Space
  • Principle of motion
  • Arrest of motion
• Digambar Jains believe there is another element, time.

 Jiva and ajiva

Jiva represents a “living thing”, and ajiva represents an “inanimate object.”

A jiva’s three main features are consciousness (chetana), happiness (sukha), and strength (virya). In their purest form, these three characteristics are limitless. 

Ajiva is further separated into two groups: the material and non-material worlds. 

Conclusion

The “History of the Universe” is a fictional history developed by Jains, but Western academics refer to it as “The History of the Universe,” the Acts of the Mighty Men 63. The 24 Tirthankaras are essential characters in this tale; they are ideal people who appear on occasion to preach and unite their religion. 

Time, according to the Jains, is eternal and formless. It seems to them like a wheel with 12 spokes (ara). Across the wheel, there are six arcs descending and six ascending. Human growth improves on the ascending arc (utsarpini), whereas, on the descending arc, it deteriorates (avasarpini). Two of these cycles are joined to make the Kalpa, which is a single rotation. There is no beginning or end to each Kalpa. Jiva’s most distinguishing feature is upayog (conscious activity). According to the realistic point of view (Nischaya Naya), upayog is the product of consciousness, which is the sole attribute of Jiva. Upyog can be defined as a tendency that develops from awareness. Ajivas have no sensations of happiness or grief, are incapable of self-effort, and are fearless even when confronted with a dangerous situation. Ajiva is something that does not have life (awareness). Because Ajiva means “without a soul,” they are unable to acquire any Karmas.