Mythology and Origin Stories
Links to Stories or Videos
In Jainism it is believed that there were 24 Tirthankaras.
Here is a version of the life of Mahavira as an animation.
This is a story of a Tirthankar named Mallinath.
Jainism stresses the importance of not being attached to possessions in this story.
In Jainism it is believed that there were 24 Tirthankaras.
Here is a version of the life of Mahavira as an animation.
This is a story of a Tirthankar named Mallinath.
Jainism stresses the importance of not being attached to possessions in this story.
Hymns and Prayers
Jain prayers tend to recall the great qualities of the Tirthankaras and remind individuals of Mahavira's teachings.
MORNING PRAYER (Before Dawn)
I bow to the enlightened souls
I bow to the liberated souls
I bow to religious leaders
I bow to religious teachers
I bow to all the monks in the world
The morning prayer wipes away all sins.
MORNING PRAYER (Before Dawn)
I bow to the enlightened souls
I bow to the liberated souls
I bow to religious leaders
I bow to religious teachers
I bow to all the monks in the world
The morning prayer wipes away all sins.
Religious Holy Books
The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are known as the Agamas. Mahavira's disciples compiled his words into texts and memorized them to pass on to the future generations. The reason why they memorized them was because Jain monks and nuns weren't allowed to possess religious books or write. Things changed because now such things are allowed. It is argued that many of Mahavira's teachings were lost because monks who had memorized the texts died of a famine in 350 B.C.E. One of the most important differences of both sects are that the Digambaras believe all Agamas were lost during the famine and the Svetambaras believe the majority of the texts survived.