Jainism and Buddhism: Overview

It is the sixth century B.C. when Jainism and Buddhism arose and spread across entire India. Great thinkers and philosophers like Buddha, Mahavira, Confucius, Zoroaster, and many more preached the ideologies of Jainism and Buddhism in different parts of the nation. These thinkers were the Main Causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in India.

Rise and Spread of Jainism

When talking about the Rise and Spread of Jainism, it was during the lifetime of Mahavira and also after his death that Jainism was spread in different parts of India. 

  • An organization of Mahavira disciples, including both men and women, was established by him to disseminate the teachings of Jainism
  • In western parts of the country, Brahmanical religion was weak and thus, in those areas, Jainism flourished gradually
  • Jainas used the Prakrit language of the masses instead of the Brahmana-favored Sanskrit language to communicate their doctrines and ideologies
  • Chandragupta Maurya is credited for spreading Jainism in the state
  • After becoming a Jaina and giving up his crown, he lived in Karnataka and spent the remaining years there as a Jaina ascetic
  • The second cause of the growth of Jainism in southern India is considered to be the catastrophic famine that took place in Magadha 200 years after the death of Mahavira
  • The catastrophic famine lasted for 12 years in Magadha
  • During these years, many Jainas fled to the southern part of India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu, and the remaining Jainas resided in Magadha itself under the leadership of Cthulhu
  • After the return of immigrants to Magadha, they were opposed by the local Jainas
  • Southerners’ Jainas were referred to as Digambaras and Magadhas were referred to as Shvetambaras
  • In the 4TH century BCE, Jainism spread to Kalinga in Odisha and the King Kharavela of Kalinga supported it in the first century
  • In the first and second centuries BCE, Jainism reached the southern parts of Tamil Nadu
  • In subsequent years, Jainism spread to Rajasthan, Malwa, and Gujarat

Causes for the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

When it comes to the Causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism, the primary cause was the religious unrest in the country in the 6th century B.C. following mentioned are the factors and Causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism:

  • Reaction against Ritualism

Religious ceremonies and rituals during the 6th century B.C. turned out to be expensive and were also performed by the whims and fancies of the priestly class. Therefore, the masses were looking for an inexpensive and straightforward faith that they found in Jainism and Buddhism. 

  • Corruption in Religion

Corruption was deeply immersed in the existing religion and the priests used to extract money out of the ordinary people through meaningless rituals. Kshatriyas, a robust community, resented the same and thus, people adopted Jainism and Buddhism in the end. 

  • Rigid Caste System

The caste system was rigidly followed during the sixth century B.C. and there was absolutely no social mobility left across the society. There were certain restrictions on the masses based on their caste, marriages, class, and even food and drinks. Now that both Jainism and Buddhism believed in the no-caste, this particular reason was one of the significant causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in the nation.

  • Complex language

The Vedas were written in the Sanskrit language, which was not commonly understood by most people and also, and Brahmans also used to explain them in the same language. Therefore, the need for another religion was felt and all people could easily access that.

Vardhamana Mahavira

 The 24th Tirthankara (a great teacher), Vardhamana Mahavira, is considered to have propounded Jainism. His birthplace is Kundagramam, a village near the ancient city of Vaisali. His father was Siddhartha, the chief of a Kshatriya clan (Jnatrikas), and his mother was princess Trishala, sister of the Vaishali’s ruler. Therefore, it can be said that Vardhamana Mahavira was born in a highly aristocratic family of wealth and fame.

Responsibility of Mahavira

Mahavira is considered to be a founder of Jainism. The teachings of Mahavira can be explained in terms of the Responsibility of Mahavira:

  • His primary responsibility was to spread Jainism across all parts of the country
  • He rejected Vedic principles and didn’t believe in the existence of God
  • Instead, he used to believe in Karma
  • He communicated that individuals are punished or rewarded according to their Karma
  • Mahavira stressed equality, but he never firmly rejected the caste system.
  • He always preached non-violence

Conclusion

When talking about the origin of Jainism and Buddhism, these two religions spread in India during the sixth century B.C. Jainism first spread in the southern parts of the country. The Causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism were rigid caste system, political situations, complex Sanskrit language, and corruption in religion, meaningless rituals, and more. The Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is considered to be the founder of Jainism in India. Go through the article mentioned above to learn about Jainism’s rise in India in detail.