Is Tamil Samanam the same as present day Jainism?

 Samanam and Jainism are different.

Tamil Scholars, mainly Tamil Pandits, Professors and Tamil Poets who normally do not have exposure outside their regions, confused and used vice versa.

Jainism is one of the competing religions alongwith Saivism, Vaishnavism and Buddhism during early five centuries.

There were many Sramanic religions when Mahavir proposed Jainism ( Restraint is the theme). They are contemperous to Mahavir- Buddha, Makkali Gosalas, Kassappas and Sanjayas.

Mohan N R's answer to What makes Jainism a better religion than Hinduism?

Samanars predate to Srmanic religions.

There were several mystics (over 84 Maha Siddhas - 18 Tamil Siddhas) in our holy land before and after Buddha, Mahavira, Gosalas, Kassappas, and Sanjayas. These mystics contributed much in philosophy, medicine, metullergy and performed miracles.

Some worshipped Shiv, some Sakthi, some Murugan.After Buddhism and Jainism, some created the left hand sects within Buddhism and Jainism.

Why they are called Samanars?

As said earlier, these mystics contributed much in philosophy, medicine, metullergy and performed miracles. There objective is to attain immortality (Saha Varam in Tamil) through manipulating Swara (Vasi in Tamil).

In Swara science to attain various Siddhis, the Prana is further classified as Five important Sub Pranas. (Total 10).

Prana takes care of all intakes through mouth, nose etc. Apana takes care of all excretions. Samana is the one which converts intakes to nourishments to the body and excretions.

Samanars are the ones who mastered the Samana, equalize and keep check both on Prana and Apana for mortals to show the possibility of immortality through disturbing it through Vyana (material world) and Udana (spiritual world). The center is Navel, non thinking brain.

As said earlier, some Samanars worshipped Shiva, some Sakthi (majority- as Sakthi is Prana), some Murugan (again Sakthi of Kumaran - Koumari) .After Buddhism and Jainism, some created the left hand sects (deals with energy / rituals) within Buddhism and Jainism.

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