Hinduism / by Monier Williams.

  • Monier Monier-Williams
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hinduism / by Monier Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in the fifth stage of the Avasarpini, i.e. in ‘ bad ’ time. When the two cycles have run out, a Yuga or age is accomplished. Twenty-four Jinas, or ‘perfect saints/ raised to the rank of gods, have appeared in the pre- sent Avasarpini cycle, twenty-four in the past Utsar- pini, and twenty-four will appear in the future. The idols representing them are always, like that of Buddha, in a contemplative posture. The first Jina of the present cycle lived 8,400,000 years, and attained a stature equal to the length of 500 bows (dhamts). The age and stature of the second were somewhat less ; and so in a descending scale. The last two j inas, Parsva-natha and Maha-vira, were probably real per- sons, and are those principally revered by the Jainas of the present day. In all likelihood the first founder of the sect was Parsva-natha, and its first active propagator Maha-vira. In the same cycle there have lived twelve 'Cakra-vartins, ‘ universal emperors/ nine divine personages called Bala-devas, nine called Vasudevas, and nine others called Prativasudevas, making a list of sixty-three divine persons in all. With regard to the world, the Jainas affirm that, being formed of eternal atoms, it has existed and will exist eternally. They believe that it has three divi- sions, viz. lower, middle, and upper, and that there are numerous hells and heavens. All existing things are arranged under the two great Tattvas of Jlva, ‘living soul/ and A-jiva, ‘ inanimate objects.’ Of living- souls there are three kinds : a. JVitya-siddha, ‘ ever perfect/ as the Jina ; b. Muktalman, 1 liberated soul ’; c. Baddhatman, ‘ bound soul,’ or one bound by works and worldly associations. Material objects are some- times classed under a Tattva called Budget/a, and some make seven, others nine Tattvas. There are three ‘ gems,’ which together effect the soul’s liberation (moksha) ; viz. a. right intuition, b. right knowledge, c. right conduct. This last consists
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