Jainism

History of Jainism

Jainism was developed through the centuries by several tirthankaras, or guiding teachers who teach people how to reach liberation or moksha. According to Jainism, 24 tirthankaras have contributed to the religion during the "present age." A tirthankara is an ordinary human being that engages in intense meditation and penitence and improves the soul to the state of purity. Modern-day Jainism is attributed to Mahavira, the latest tirthankara. Mahavira was born as Vardhamana into a royal family in India in the 540 or 590 BC. At the age of 30, he left his princely life and devoted himself to spirituality. After more than twelve years of meditation and fasting, he received enlightenment and was called Mahavira. He spent the rest of his life teaching others and contributing to the spread of Jainism. He died in 527 BC (having reached liberation from rebirth). By mid-19th century, as Hinduism grew stronger, Jainism lost its large following. It experienced a revival later in the 19th century.