• Jainism is believed to be older than Buddhism.
• There are 24 Tirthankaras in each half-cycle of time, according to Jain belief.
• Time is divided into Utsarpinis (progressive) and Avasarpinis (regressive) half-cycles, each further divided into 6 kalas (stages).
• The first Tirthankara was Rishabhadeva (symbol: bull), mentioned in the Rig Veda and Vayu Purana.
• The 22nd Tirthankara was Neminatha from Gujarat, the 23rd was Parshvanatha from Benaras (symbol: snake), and the 24th was Mahavira (symbol: lion).

Core Doctrines:

• Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism): Reality is perceived differently from various viewpoints; no single viewpoint represents the complete truth.
  • Story of the blind men and the elephant illustrates the concept.
• Syadavada (Doctrine of ‘May Be’): All statements about reality are conditional and hold true only under certain conditions. Each statement should begin with “syat” (may be).
• Nayavada (Theory of Standpoints): Reality is described from different perspectives, with each perspective providing only partial truth.

Triratna (Three Jewels):

1. Right Faith (Samyag Darshana): Seeing things without preconceptions or superstitions.
2. Right Knowledge (Samyag Jnana): Accurate knowledge of the universe, including substances and truths.
3. Right Conduct (Samyag Charitra): Living according to ethical rules, avoiding harm to living beings.

Pancha Mahavrata (Five Great Vows):

1. Non-violence (Ahimsa):
   • Central principle of Jainism.
   • All living beings are equal, and no being has the right to harm or kill another.
   • Violence includes harmful thoughts, speech, and actions.
   • Jainism promotes strict vegetarianism and prohibits agriculture or war for monks/renunciants.
2. Truth (Satya): Speaking only the truth, which should be wholesome and pleasant. Silence is preferable if the truth would cause harm.
3. Non-stealing (Achaurya/Asteya): Avoid taking anything that does not belong to you, even if it is unclaimed or unattended. Taking more than what is needed is considered theft.
4. Celibacy (Brahmacharya): Total abstinence from sensual pleasures. Monks must strictly observe celibacy, while householders should limit physical relationships to their spouses.
5. Non-attachment/Non-possession (Aparigraha): Attachment to worldly objects leads to the cycle of birth and death. Spiritual liberation requires detachment from material possessions.

Mahavratas vs Anuvratas:

• The Mahavratas (great/full vows) are strictly observed by ascetics.
• The Anuvratas (small/partial vows) are observed by laymen to the best of their abilities.

Anekantavada and the Kevalins:

• Jain doctrine states that only the Kevalins (omniscient beings) can comprehend reality in all aspects, while others have partial knowledge.

Jaina Canonical Texts:

• Early Jain teachings were transmitted orally but were later compiled due to the difficulty of memorization.
• Jain sacred texts are called Siddhanta or Agama.
• Jainism split into two main sects: Digambara (Sky-clad) and Shvetambara (Clad in White) around the 3rd century CE.
• Early texts include Acharanga Sutra, Sutrakritanga, and Kalpasutra.