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Lesson II TRADITION AND INTRODUCTION
inism is an original system of thought and culture quite distinct from and independent of all other Indian philosophical streams of thoughts. It has a meta-physical basis of its own which secured it a distinct position in Indian philosophy.
Ancient Tradition of Tirthankaras :
According to Jainism, time is divided in o two great cycles called Avasarpini and utsarpin', i.e. involution and evolution. The world is now moving down, i.e. in the cycle of Avasarp ni. Now each of this period is again divided into six Eras. In every great cycle, 24 Tirthankaras appear in the field of action. These Tirthankaras are not only pure and perfect beings and attain Nirvana as soon as they shufile off their mortal coil, but also, they lay down rules of conduct for the purification of our hearts and minds and establ sh the Tirtha or the Order.
According to the Jains the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev of the present era has given the world a systematic exposition of truth in all its aspects both secular and spiritual. He also laid down rules of conduct for the proper guidance of the sadhus as well as of the householders. Rishabhdev is also mentioned in the Hindu scripture, Shrimad Bhagwat which also refers to Aristnemi who is 22nd Tirthankara in the tradition of Rishabhdev.
Parasnath the 23rd and Mahavir the 24th are both recognised great spiritual masters, accepted as historical figures who reformed and reorganised the order according to the changing times.
Parasnath was born at Benares in 877 B.C. and attained Nirvana in 777 B.C. on a hill which is still known as Parasnath hills in Bihar.
Mahavir or Vardhaman, the last Tirthankara of this age, improved upon the then existing doctrines and customs according to the exigencies of the time and it was He who gave Jainism its final form as we find it today; the various facets of which would be considered in the succeeding chapters.
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