Against Rituals and Sacrifices
Jainism was a kind of rebellion against the superiority of Brahmins and their sacrifices, sacrifices and useless rituals. He stopped all these Sacrifices and rituals and asked people to concentrate on Karma and soul.
However, Jainism never witnessed the rapid and extensive growth as was the case with Buddhism and its growth was slow and never became an international religion like Buddhism.
Central Teachings of Jainism
One of the oldest surviving religions, Jainism, had its birth in the 6th century B.C. During this time frame, numerous schools sprang up against the cumbersome rituals and bloody sacrifices, and one among them was “Jainism“. It has a unique place in the history of India with its ideology and teachings. According to this religion, the founder Tirthankara of the faith is Rishabhdev, and Vardhamana Mahavira was the last of the 24 Tirthankaras.
Vardhaman Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara and his efforts and teachings transformed Jainism into a popular religion of the 6th century B.C.; born in Kundagram near Vaishali, his father was ‘Siddhartha‘ (of the Ikshvaku Dynasty) and his mother was ‘Trishala‘ (of the Licchavi dynasty). After putting his body to complete hardships, he attained supreme knowledge, i.e. Kaivalya at 42. He founded Jain sangha at Pawapuri to propagate his faith, and at the age of 72, he attained moksha (passed away) at Pawapuri in the present-day Bihar on 527 BCE.