Author: A Compilation
Publisher: Ramakrishna Mission
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 171
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8185843856
Description
The difference of Jainism with the Vedic religion is apparently sharp on many issues, and articles in this volume present the different aspects of Jainism.
Jainism is the earliest Post-Vedic non-Brahminical religious faith which appeared in northern India in the first millennium BC. Its earliest exponent was Rsabha - the first Tirthankara. It was, however, finally codified by Vardhamana or Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, an elder contemporary of Gautama Buddha.
A creator-God behind the vast universe around us has no place in Jaina theology. Nor does it accept that a religious faith can be impersonal 'apauruseya' as accepted by the prevailing Vedic religion. A closer study of the two systems, however, reveals that they have much in common as well, and it would be a better appreciation of both to say that Jainism was a contemporary reformist religious movement. Such reform movements are a testimony to India's spiritual vitality - eclecticism and assimilation.