“The Acaranga Sutra (ca. 400 BCE), a text used extensively by the Svetambaras, is the oldest surviving Jain manual, describing the rules proclaimed by Mahavira to be followed by his monks and nuns.” Umasvati, a thinker who most likely lived in the fourth century BCE, established a philosophical tactic that both sects acknowledged. In the Tattvartha Sutra, or Aphorisms on the Meaning of Reality, Umasvati concisely summaries the Jain world-view, describing karma,cosmology, morals, and the levels of spiritual achievement. Later thinkers, including Haribhadra and Hemacandra of the Svetambara tradition, and Jinasena and Virasena of the Digambara tradition, developed a wide-ranging literary corpus that includes stories, epics, philosophical treatises, and poetry (Chapple). “The path or Dharma (truth, teaching) that Mahavira advocated was one of strict asceticism, …show more content…
Instead, Jainism is “considered a transtheistic religion.” Souls and matter are believed to be eternal. “Ultimate reality for Jainism might be best identified as kevala, the supreme state in which the eternal soul is perfectly pure” (Brodd, et al). Jainism teachings are based upon the belief of ahimsa (nonviolence) and asceticism. Mahavira demonstrated this teaching and all members of Jainism continue to follow them as examples for others. In Jainism, humans consist of a soul (jiva) joint with bodily matter (ajiva). The bodily matter is believed to be what weighs the soul down and averts it from attaining spiritual perfection. This is clarified through the Jains’ doctrine of karma. (Brodd, et