Question

The word Jina from which the word Jain(ism) originates stands for?
A. Great
B. Detached
C. Non-Violence
D. Conqueror (of senses)

Answer 1

Hint: Jainism is an Indian religion based on the path of spiritual purity and enlightenment through self-discipline. Jainism is much older than Buddhism, founded by Mahavira. He does not believe in God and rejects all kinds of violence.

Complete answer: Jainism is said to have originated in the 7th to 5th century BCE. The word Jina in Jainism means to conquer or a conqueror of senses. It refers to the battle that Jain monks and nuns fight against their desires and passion with their bodily senses to gain enlightenment or purity of soul. The ones who attained this enlightenment were called Jina. It is the Jina’s who could give moksha to other people after attaining enlightenment. Mahavira believes in the concept of transmigration of the soul and Karma. As one will get punishment for his bad deeds due to his karma. Throughout his life, he advocated the principles of austerity and non-violence. According to him right faith, knowledge, and conducts are the important elements of the Jiva (conscious) and Atma
(unconscious). They were further divided into five vows-Ahimsa (non-violence), Asteya (no stealing), Satya (truth), Brahmacharya (abstinence) and Parigraha (no acquiring property).
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Note: Some scholars believed that it is as old as the Vedic religion. The teachings of Jainism were given in Pali and Prakrit. It is believed that it was the great famine in the Ganga valley that prompted Chandragupta Maurya and Bhadrabahu to migrate to Karnataka which helped in spreading Jainism to Southern India.