Question

write a short note on impact of jainism

Answer 1

Jainism has great antiquity. According to the Jains their religion originated in the remotest ages. They believed that Mahavira, the last Tirthankara was preceded by twenty-three other prophets.

Mahavira was the twenty-fourth one. The historicity of the first twenty-two Tirthankaras starting from Rishabhnath to Neminath is doubtful. They are all shadowy figures wrapped up in mythology.

The twenty-third Tirthankar Parsvanath seems to be a historical personage. He was the son of king Asvasena of Benares who had abandoned the royal life to be a sage. His teachings gave a formal shape to Jainism.

Answer 2

The spread of Jainism had several consequences.

The early Jain's taught their doctrines in Prakrit. This helped the growth of Prakrit language and literature.

Jain art and architecture flourished under royal patronage and also from donations by merchants and traders. The Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu is a fine specimen of Jain architecture.

The followers of Mahavira attended to welfare services such as building of hospitals and opening of schools.