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UPPCS Ancient History Gap Sheet: Jainism: Tirthankaras and Doctrine.
UPPCS has asked 20 of these. 5 have not been asked yet. Lock the first list, then read the second: it holds what UPPCS has not used yet.
First, the concept
Jainism explains liberation as freeing the soul from karmic bondage through right faith, knowledge and conduct. Ahimsa is central, but non-possession and restraint are also essential parts of the discipline.
Separate the numbered Tirthankaras, their symbols and sacred places from later sectarian practices. Digambara and Shvetambara traditions share core teachings but differ on monastic dress and some doctrinal questions.
✅ Already asked (20)
Tirthankaras and places
- Rishabhanatha first Tirthankara · Also called Adinatha; bull is his emblem.
- Parshvanatha 23rd Tirthankara · Associated with Varanasi; serpent is his emblem.
- Mahavira 24th Tirthankara · Born at Kundagrama near Vaishali according to the usual historical account.
- Mahavira's enlightenment · Kevala jnana attained near the Rijupalika river.
- Pavapuri nirvana · Mahavira's nirvana site in Bihar.
- Sammed Shikhar pilgrimage · Jharkhand; associated with the nirvana of many Tirthankaras, including Parshvanatha.
- Vasupujya at Champapuri · Twelfth Tirthankara; nirvana traditionally located at Champapuri.
- Mallinatha emblem · Nineteenth Tirthankara; water pot is the emblem.
Doctrine and sects
- Jain three jewels · Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
- Aparigraha non-possession · Limits attachment to possessions.
- Shvetambara dress · Monastics wear white garments.
- Digambara discipline · Full male monastic renunciation includes giving up clothes.
- Vallabhi council · Associated with compilation of the Shvetambara canon.
- Ardhamagadhi scriptures · An important language of early Jain canonical literature.
- Ajivika determinism · Makkhali Gosala taught a doctrine centred on destiny; distinct from Jainism.
- Kevala jnana · Perfect knowledge attained when obstructing karmas are removed.
- Jain uncreated universe · The universe is uncreated; no creator God is needed in Jain doctrine.
UP Jain sacred geography
- Ayodhya and Rishabhanatha · Jain tradition regards Ayodhya as Rishabhanatha's birthplace.
- Shravasti and Sambhavanatha · Third Tirthankara associated with Shravasti; horse is his emblem.
- Pabhosa and Padmaprabha · Pabhosa near Kaushambi is associated with Padmaprabha's austerities.
❌ Not asked yet (5)
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Doctrine and sects: 5
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⚠️ Parshvanatha is the 23rd Tirthankara and Mahavira the 24th. Mahavira did not originate the entire Tirthankara tradition.
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