• Jainism was founded by Rishabhanath, the first Tirthankara.In Bhagavat Purana,he is reffered to as Lord Vishnu.
• There were 24 Tirthankara and all of them were Kshatriyas.
• The 23^rd Tirthankara Parshwanath was the son of king Ashvasena of Benaras.he died at Sammet Sikhar/Parasanath Hill in Jharkhand.his main teachings (chaturthi) were 1.Non-injury (Ahimsa) 2.Non- lying (Satya) 3.Non stealing (Asteya) and 4.Non-possession (Aparigraha).
• Kalpasutra:-It is the religious text of Jain.here mentions the life stories of 24 Tirthankara.

Mahavira

• Jainim come into prominence under the 24^th Tirthankara Mahavira.
• Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Kundagram in Vaishali(Bihar) and belonged to Jantrika Kshatriya Clan.
• His father’s name was Siddhartha and mother’s name was Trishala.
• He was married to Yashoda and had a daughter Priyadarshini .Jamali the husband of Yashoda. Mahavir’s first disciple was Jamali.
• He left his home at the age of 30 and wandered for 12 years.
• He attained Kaivalya (Supreme Knowledge) at the age of 42 under a sal tree on the bank of river Rijupalika at Jimbhikagram.
• He got title of Jina and Arihant.He delivered his first sermon to eleven disciples at Pava. Those eleven disciples were known as Gandgharas. died due to self –starvation at the age of 72 in 468 BC at Pavapuri near Rajgir.
• Three Jewels or Triratna of Mahavira were Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct
• 24 Tithankara’s name and their Emblem

Five Main teaching of Mahavira

1.Non-injury (Ahimsa)

2.Non- lying (Satya)

3.Non stealing (Asteya)

4.Non-possession (Aparigraha) and

5.Observing continence (Brahmacharya)

Jain Councils

First Jain Council :-

Year – 300 BC

Venue - Pataliputra

Chairman - Sthulabhadra

Patron – Chandragupa Maurya

Result – The complilation of 12 Angas replace 14 Purvas

Second Jain Council :-

Year – 512 AD

Venue – Vallabhi , Gujarat

Chairman – Devridhigani Kshmasramana

Result - Final Compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

Sects of Jainism

After the death of Mahavira (During the reign of Chandragupta Maurya) a great exodus of jain monks from Ganga Valley to Deccan and south India due to a serious famine. This time jains had been divided into 2 seccts:-

1. Svetambara (wear white Cloths)- Leader Stulabhadra.

2. Digambara-Leader Bhadrabahu.

Jainism reached the highest point in Chandragupta Maurya’s time.