1

Historicity of Jain Historicity of Jain Tirthankars Tirthankars

Yashwant Yashwant K. MalaiyaK. Malaiya

JAINA JAINA Convention, Convention,

San JoseSan Jose

July 2, 2005July 2, 2005

2

Historicity of Jain Historicity of Jain Tirthankars Tirthankars

Antiquity of Jainism: Tradition and Antiquity of Jainism: Tradition and historyhistory

Tirthankaras in Brahmin and Buddhist Tirthankaras in Brahmin and Buddhist booksbooks

The Shramana tradition The Shramana tradition Historicity of Lord Neminath, Historicity of Lord Neminath,

Parshvanath &Mahavira Parshvanath &Mahavira Archaeological evidence and Indus Archaeological evidence and Indus

Valley CivilizationValley Civilization

3

OutlineOutline

History and tradition History and tradition Historical analysisHistorical analysis

Texts and archaeologicalTexts and archaeological Oral and written traditionOral and written tradition

The Shramana traditionThe Shramana tradition Jain: before and after MahaviraJain: before and after Mahavira Ajivaka: Goshalaka and othersAjivaka: Goshalaka and others Buddhist: Gautam and other Buddhas, DevadattaBuddhist: Gautam and other Buddhas, Devadatta

The Brahmanical traditionThe Brahmanical tradition Vedic and PuranicVedic and Puranic

Archaeological EvidenceArchaeological Evidence

4

Historical AnalysisHistorical Analysis

Tradition vs. historyTradition vs. history Tradition:Tradition: Oral and writtenOral and written History: critical analysis, academicHistory: critical analysis, academic

Sources of informationSources of information Texts (tradition)Texts (tradition) Archaeological objects and inscriptionsArchaeological objects and inscriptions

Critical analysisCritical analysis Cross-checkingCross-checking Self-chckingSelf-chcking

5

Example: My genealogyExample: My genealogy

I compiled my family history 35 years ago.I compiled my family history 35 years ago. Oral tradition: Oral tradition:

interviewed several people from my grandfather’s interviewed several people from my grandfather’s generation, and two from a previous generationgeneration, and two from a previous generation

Cross-checked factsCross-checked facts Hard evidenceHard evidence

Sacks of old lettersSacks of old letters Inscribed pots and pans with ancestors’ initials: Inscribed pots and pans with ancestors’ initials: HTHT

Great-great-grandfather’s name only available Great-great-grandfather’s name only available through my grandfather’s memory. I accept through my grandfather’s memory. I accept this oral tradition. this oral tradition.

6

Tradition vs. HistoryTradition vs. History

Traditions becomes history:Traditions becomes history: Kalpasutra sthiravali was only tradition until Kalpasutra sthiravali was only tradition until

Mathura excavations in 1884-1896. Ganas, Mathura excavations in 1884-1896. Ganas, shakhas etc mentioned were confirmed by shakhas etc mentioned were confirmed by Kushana (78-176 CE) inscriptions.Kushana (78-176 CE) inscriptions.

Tradition lost but history found:Tradition lost but history found: No tradition about King Kharvela of Kalinga. No tradition about King Kharvela of Kalinga.

Known only from Hathigumpha inscription.Known only from Hathigumpha inscription.

Both tradition and archaeological finds provide Both tradition and archaeological finds provide occasional samples, from which history is occasional samples, from which history is constructed.constructed.

7

The 24 The 24 JinasJinas

Swetambara: Logassa Sutra (Avashyaka sutra)Digambara: Thossami Thudi (Tirthankara)

8

Identifying the Identifying the Tirthankaras:Tirthankaras:Rishabha & ParshvaRishabha & Parshva

9

Identifying the Identifying the Tirthankaras: Tirthankaras: Lanchhanas (post-Lanchhanas (post-

Gupta)Gupta)

10

Ancient Idols from Ancient Idols from MathuraMathura

Images identified using inscriptions & hair/hood:Images identified using inscriptions & hair/hood: Ayagapatta: ParshvaAyagapatta: Parshva Panel: Diksha of RishabhaPanel: Diksha of Rishabha

Kushana period (78-176 CE):Kushana period (78-176 CE): Seated: Vardhamana, Sambhava, Suvrata, Seated: Vardhamana, Sambhava, Suvrata,

Rishabha, Arishtanemi, ParshvaRishabha, Arishtanemi, Parshva Standing: Vardhamana, Arishtanemi, ParshvaStanding: Vardhamana, Arishtanemi, Parshva 4-sided: Parshva and Rishabha identifiable on 4-sided: Parshva and Rishabha identifiable on

most of themmost of them

11

Vardhamana-MahaviraVardhamana-Mahavira

Last Jina (599 BCE-527 BCE)Last Jina (599 BCE-527 BCE) Nirvana at PavaNirvana at Pava Founder of Founder of NirgranthNirgranth order order Mentioned as Mentioned as Niggantha NataputtaNiggantha Nataputta in Buddhist in Buddhist

textstexts His Nirvana at Pava mentioned in Buddhist textsHis Nirvana at Pava mentioned in Buddhist texts

12

The Parshva TraditionThe Parshva Tradition

Parshva: 23Parshva: 23rdrd Jina (10 Jina (10thth cent BCE) cent BCE) Keshi of Parshva tradition met Keshi of Parshva tradition met

Gautam, disciple of Mahavira and Gautam, disciple of Mahavira and discussed differences in doctarinesdiscussed differences in doctarines

Other accounts of Parshvatha monks Other accounts of Parshvatha monks in Lord Mahvira’s timein Lord Mahvira’s time

Historicity acceptedHistoricity accepted

13

ShramanTraditionsShramanTraditions

Prior and later existence of the three Prior and later existence of the three shraman traditions!shraman traditions!

Mahavira Gautam Goshal Others

Jain Buddhist Ajivika

Jain Buddhist Ajivika

14

Former BuddhasFormer Buddhas

Jataka: Gautam was Jataka: Gautam was 2525thth Buddha Buddha

Last 8 at AjantaLast 8 at Ajanta Phussa, Vipassi, Sikhi, Phussa, Vipassi, Sikhi,

Vessabhu, Kakusandha, Vessabhu, Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Konagamana, Kassapa, and GotamaGotama

Ashoka erected Ashoka erected pillar at pillar at Konagaman’s (23Konagaman’s (23rdrd) ) birth site in 249 birth site in 249 BCE at Nigligawa.BCE at Nigligawa.

15

DevadataDevadata

Cousin of Siddhartha, Cousin of Siddhartha, important leader of Buddha’s important leader of Buddha’s orderorder

Demanded Demanded Vegetarianism, must beg for Vegetarianism, must beg for

foodfood Live in forests, not monastariesLive in forests, not monastaries No new clothesNo new clothes

Split and formed separate Split and formed separate orderorder

What happened to his order?What happened to his order?

16

Chinese VisitorsChinese Visitors Faxian (Fahsien), Faxian (Fahsien),

visited India 399-414 visited India 399-414 Xuangzang (Huan Xuangzang (Huan

Tsang), from 629-645 Tsang), from 629-645 AD AD

They found They found Devadatta’s monks!Devadatta’s monks!

Worshipped at earlier Worshipped at earlier Buddhas’ stupas but Buddhas’ stupas but not Gautam’s!not Gautam’s!

17

Ajivikas: Makkhali Ajivikas: Makkhali GoshalGoshal

Mentioned in Bhagavati Sutra, Mentioned in Bhagavati Sutra, Avashyaka Sutra Churni, and Avashyaka Sutra Churni, and Buddhist Samannaphala Sutta etc.Buddhist Samannaphala Sutta etc.

Follower of Mahavira for 6 yearsFollower of Mahavira for 6 years Joined Ajivikas and became their Joined Ajivikas and became their

leaderleader Ajivika order existed before himAjivika order existed before him

Encounter with Gautam BuddhaEncounter with Gautam Buddha Names of his predecessors available!Names of his predecessors available!

18

AjivikasAjivikas

Some Ajivikas Some Ajivikas were friendly were friendly towards Buddhist towards Buddhist monksmonks

Ajivika informs Ajivika informs Mahakassapa of Mahakassapa of NirvanaNirvana

Ajivikas survived Ajivikas survived until 12-15until 12-15thth century CE!century CE!

19

Vedas/Upanishads/Vedas/Upanishads/PuranasPuranas

Vedic SanskritVedic Sanskrit Many passages directly or indirectly Many passages directly or indirectly

mention about Tirthankarasmention about Tirthankaras Can be translated differentlyCan be translated differently All Brahmin Puranas mention Nabhi, All Brahmin Puranas mention Nabhi,

Rishabha, Bharata.Rishabha, Bharata. Bhagavata Purana in most detail.Bhagavata Purana in most detail.

20

VedasVedas

Ach. Hemachandra: Jinas mentioned in Ach. Hemachandra: Jinas mentioned in VedasVedas Mentions misinterpreted or deletedMentions misinterpreted or deleted

Dr. Radhakrishnan:Dr. Radhakrishnan: Yajurveda: Rishabha, Ajit, ArishtanemiYajurveda: Rishabha, Ajit, Arishtanemi

Rigveda: Vrashabha, Pashupati, KeshiRigveda: Vrashabha, Pashupati, Keshi Rishabha = Pashupati in vedic textsRishabha = Pashupati in vedic texts Keshi: chief of Vatarashana munis =RishabhaKeshi: chief of Vatarashana munis =Rishabha

TN Ramachandran: Shishnadeva =RishabhTN Ramachandran: Shishnadeva =Rishabh

21

Srimat Bhagavat Canto 5Srimat Bhagavat Canto 5

Chap 3:Rishabhadeva's Appearance in the Womb of Chap 3:Rishabhadeva's Appearance in the Womb of Merudevî, the Wife of King NâbhiMerudevî, the Wife of King Nâbhi

Chap 4:The Characteristics of RishabhadevaChap 4:The Characteristics of Rishabhadeva

Thus .. most exalted in as well his bodily features as in Thus .. most exalted in as well his bodily features as in having all the qualities as described by the poets, did having all the qualities as described by the poets, did the father thus give Him because of His strength, the father thus give Him because of His strength, beauty, fame, .., the name Rishabha, the best one.beauty, fame, .., the name Rishabha, the best one.

Of his sones was indeed the eldest, Bharata, a great Of his sones was indeed the eldest, Bharata, a great practitioner of yoga; he had the best qualities and it practitioner of yoga; he had the best qualities and it was he of whom this land was called Bhârata-varsha was he of whom this land was called Bhârata-varsha by the people.by the people.

22

Srimat Bhagavat Canto 5Srimat Bhagavat Canto 5

5: Lord Rishabhadeva's 5: Lord Rishabhadeva's Teachings to His SonsTeachings to His Sons

Lord Rishabha said: 'My dear sons: This Lord Rishabha said: 'My dear sons: This body carried by all within this body carried by all within this material world … is worth the trouble material world … is worth the trouble of the austerities and penances for of the austerities and penances for the sake of the divine from which the the sake of the divine from which the heart becomes purified and for heart becomes purified and for certain an unending spiritual certain an unending spiritual happiness is found. happiness is found.

Although He remained with what He Although He remained with what He was at home, accepted He, only was at home, accepted He, only physically, like a madman with his physically, like a madman with his hair unkempt, the sky for His .dress hair unkempt, the sky for His .dress and roamed He, .., far and wide from and roamed He, .., far and wide from Brahmâvarta.Brahmâvarta.

23

Srimat Bhagavat Canto 5Srimat Bhagavat Canto 56: Lord Rishabhadeva's Activities6: Lord Rishabhadeva's Activities

Lord Rishabhadeva who Himself was free from Lord Rishabhadeva who Himself was free from any vital interest. He on His own traveled the any vital interest. He on His own traveled the lands of South India: Konka, Venka and lands of South India: Konka, Venka and Kuthaka in the province of Karnâta, and Kuthaka in the province of Karnâta, and reached a forest nearby Kuthakâcala. reached a forest nearby Kuthakâcala. There .. He … wandered around naked and There .. He … wandered around naked and with scatted hair. With a fierce forest fire with scatted hair. With a fierce forest fire blazing all around that was caused by the blazing all around that was caused by the friction of bamboo's tossed by the force of friction of bamboo's tossed by the force of the wind, was His body then in that forest the wind, was His body then in that forest burned to ashes. burned to ashes.

Hearing of His pastimes of being free from all Hearing of His pastimes of being free from all ritual and custom, took the king of Konka, ritual and custom, took the king of Konka, Venka and Kuthaka who carried the name Venka and Kuthaka who carried the name Arhat to an imitation of themArhat to an imitation of them

24

Mohenjodaro HarappaMohenjodaro Harappa

Seals: Kayotsarga & PadmasanSeals: Kayotsarga & Padmasan Correspondence: seals with lanchhanasCorrespondence: seals with lanchhanas Chanda, Mukerjee, Joseph Campbell etc.: JainChanda, Mukerjee, Joseph Campbell etc.: Jain

25

Mohenjodaro, Lohanipur,Mohenjodaro, Lohanipur,ChausaChausa

Mohenjodaro: 3000-1500 BCEMohenjodaro: 3000-1500 BCE Lohanipur: Maurya 300 BCE, Chausa: 1Lohanipur: Maurya 300 BCE, Chausa: 1stst C CE C CE

26

ConclusionsConclusions

Tradition and Historicity: connectedTradition and Historicity: connected Lord Mahavira was not the founder Lord Mahavira was not the founder

of Jainism.of Jainism. Several branches of Sraman Several branches of Sraman

tradition existed before his time.tradition existed before his time. Existence of former Tirthankaras Existence of former Tirthankaras

consistent with evidenceconsistent with evidence Future discoveries are possible! Future discoveries are possible!

27

QuestionsQuestions

Some of the questions asked by the Some of the questions asked by the audience:audience:

Was one of the tirthankaras a cousin of Was one of the tirthankaras a cousin of Shri Krishna?Shri Krishna? Yes, Lord Neminath, the 22Yes, Lord Neminath, the 22ndnd tirthankara, tirthankara,

was a cousin of Shri Krishna; both were born was a cousin of Shri Krishna; both were born in the Yadu clan.in the Yadu clan.

Wasn’t one of the tirthankaras a woman?Wasn’t one of the tirthankaras a woman? According to Shvetamabara tradition, Lord According to Shvetamabara tradition, Lord

Mallinath (19Mallinath (19thth) was female. In Digambara ) was female. In Digambara tradition, Lord Mallinath is male.tradition, Lord Mallinath is male.

28

QuestionsQuestions Historically, when did Lord Rishabha live?Historically, when did Lord Rishabha live?

In historical analysis, cross-checking is needed for In historical analysis, cross-checking is needed for establishing a date satisfactorily. Any cross-establishing a date satisfactorily. Any cross-checking is not possible for events before Lord checking is not possible for events before Lord Mahavira. The Mahabharata war is perhaps the Mahavira. The Mahabharata war is perhaps the earliest event that we can attempt to date, about earliest event that we can attempt to date, about 1000-1200 BCE; that corresponds to Lord Nemi, 1000-1200 BCE; that corresponds to Lord Nemi, the 22the 22ndnd Tirthankara. Tirthankara.

What does the term “Shraman” mean?What does the term “Shraman” mean? A shraman is a wandering monk, the term is A shraman is a wandering monk, the term is

applicable to Jain and Buddhist monks. The applicable to Jain and Buddhist monks. The shraman tradition includes Jain, Buddhist and shraman tradition includes Jain, Buddhist and other associated traditions, as opposed to the other associated traditions, as opposed to the Vedic/Brahmanical tradition.Vedic/Brahmanical tradition.

29

QuestionsQuestions There is a view that Jainism represents the There is a view that Jainism represents the

Dravidian culture as opposed to the Vedas Dravidian culture as opposed to the Vedas which represent the Aryan culture.which represent the Aryan culture. Indian culture is a synthesis of both Aryan and Indian culture is a synthesis of both Aryan and

Dravidian cultures. Lord Rishabh and several of Dravidian cultures. Lord Rishabh and several of the other Tirthankaras were born in the well-the other Tirthankaras were born in the well-known aryan Ikshvaku clan, and some of the known aryan Ikshvaku clan, and some of the acharyas are called Arya.acharyas are called Arya.

Were the Tirthankaras married or Were the Tirthankaras married or unmarried?unmarried? Some of the Tirthankaras were not married, Some of the Tirthankaras were not married,

others were married. Lord Rishabh had two others were married. Lord Rishabh had two famous sons, Bharat Chakri and Lord Bahubali.famous sons, Bharat Chakri and Lord Bahubali.

30

DiscussionDiscussion