JAINA DHARMA AS THE LAW OF BEINGS AND THINGS
Keywords:
Jain Dharma, Beings, Things, Mahavira, Buddhism, Tattvartha-sutraAbstract
Unlike the Buddhist view that the Buddha set in motion the law of beings and things with his first sermon in Banares as recorded in the famous Dhasma-cakra-pravartana-stra, the Jainas believe that the law of beings and things is eternal and has always been so. All the Jainas, including the last, the Mahavira, who was the Buddha's contemporary, reiterate this law which for the Jainas essentially remains unchanged. The word 'Jaina' itself is derived from 'Jina", which literally means 'one who is victorious', a victor or conqueror.. signifying one who has obtained enlightenment by vanquishing, overcoming or subduing the passions which bind one to the cycle of existence (samsra) on account of the effects of karma. The word 'Jina' is a synonym for 'Trtharnkara', a 'ford-maker', which refers to the teachings of the Jinas and Jaina dharma or Jain law functioning as a kind of bridge or ford facilitating the journey across the sea of life. This law applies universally to beings and things alike.
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