Who Founded Jainism and Why

Jainism was founded by Mahavira in the sixth century B.C. at the age of thirty when he set out on a religious quest. During Mahavira's thirteenth year of being on his quest he gained supreme knowledge and from then on he preached about Jainism until his death thirty years later. Mahavira was the last of the twenty four teachers which were also called Jina which means "conqueror" of the woes of existence. Mahavira was born into the warrior class of India and when he set out on his quest it is said that he let go of all of the pleasures in life. It is also believed that he wandered around in the forest while he was naked and dealt with all types of discomforts. He believed in non-violence and many other things that are now the basic beliefs of Jainism.

Mahavira founded Jainism due to an outbreak against Hinduism and the way society was being run. Mahavira was in the warrior class and others like him were against Brahman rule in India so many revolted and this had then formed Jainism. It survives because of the spilt between the religion forming the Digambara and the Svetabara. The Digambara go naked such as Mahavira is said to have done when he went on his journey. On the other hand, the Svetabara dress in white garments and they have different texts from the Digambara and they believe in different things but they also have some points in which they do agree.

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