Jainism: Spread, Sects, Contribution and Decline

There was a rapid rise of Jainism in India and it deeply influenced Indian culture.

Jainism has been an integral part of Indian culture for some millions of years now. However, there was a significant growth and spread of Jainism during the lifetime of Lord Mahavir in the sixth century B.C. He travelled to different parts of the country and enriched the lives of the local people with his teachings. After his departure, his disciples played a significant role in further popularising Jain religion all over India. The evidence of the geographical extent of the Jain culture is evident from the beautiful Jain temples, Jain sculptors found all across India. When factionalism happened, the bonding among the people in the Jain community weakened and the popularity of Jainism started to decline. 

Key Factors behind Spread of Jainism

The factors that facilitated the spread of Jainism are:

• Role of the Lord Mahavir – The 24th or the last Tirthankara, Lord Mahavir played a significant role in spreading the ideology of Jainism among the common people. He used simple language in his preaching which appealed to people from all the sections of the society such as Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. He became an inspiration for them 
• Support from Kings and Rulers: The kings and rulers of sixth century B.C. were influenced by the simplicity, penance and austerity of Lord Mahavir which motivated them to embrace Jainism. Great rulers like Chandragupta Maurya, Ajatshatru, Bimbisara, Kharvela (north) and southern dynasties like Kadamba, Ganga, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, and Shilahara were among his followers. These rulers took efforts to spread the philosophy of Jainism in their kingdom. They also extended financial support to boost up the growth of Jainism in India 
• Role of Disciples of Lord Mahavir: During his lifetime, Lord Mahavir organised Sanghas to spread awareness among people about Jainism. Later on, his disciples took up the responsibility to organise Sanghas and spread the messages of Lord Mahavir’s preaching. They also convened Jain Councils for this purpose 
• Role of Jain Scriptures: Kings and rulers were in favour of documentation of the main teachings of Jain religion in the language used by the masses which was then Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. Those sacred Jain texts were also written in Sanskrit later on. These texts helped to reach out to more people 
• Role of Jain Institutions: Caves-viharas temples were built up where a huge number of worshippers could come for religious gatherings. These places turned into educational centres where renowned Jain literary works were studied, analysed and discussed by the scholars. Mathura and Shravanabelagola were the two most renowned research institutions of Jainism

Formation of Sects in Jainism

In the 3rd century B.C. Jainism got divided into two different sects. This factional segregation happened when Chandragupta Maurya was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire. 

As per Jain mythology, around 298 B.C. there was a prediction of prolonged famine in Magadha. Many people fled Magadha including Jain priest Acharya Bhadrabahu who actually predicted this famine situation. They took shelter in the Deccan region and in Shravanabelagola.

Sthulabhadra who was a disciple of Acharya Bhadrabahu stayed back in Magadha and became the head priest of the Jain community there. When the devotees of Bhadrabahu returned to Magadha, they observed major deviations in the practice of Jainism in Magadha which was unacceptable for them. 

This led to the division of Jainism into two sects – Svetambaras (white-clad) and Digambaras (Sky-clad or Naked). 

• Devotees of Bhadrabahu are called the Digambaras and those of Sthulabhadra are called Swetambara 
• The Digambara sect maintained the traditional disciplines of Jainism as was preached by Lord Mahavir. The Swetambara sect refused the strict compliance of the principles of Jainism and chose to follow a malleable version

Contribution of Jainism to Indian Art and Culture

Jainism brought much needed flexibility to the conservative Indian culture. They promoted the ideologies of Syadvada and Anekantavada which bestowed acceptance to multiplicity of individual views and opinions. 

The concept of non-violence in thoughts, speech and action taught people to live in peace and harmony. It laid an ethical foundation for the country by emphasising upon the purity of thought, conduct etc.

Jainism had enriched the art and architecture of ancient India in many ways:

• Jain Sculptures

The Jains excelled at the art of making monolithic statues, the best example being the Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola. 

• Jain Temples

The Jains perfected cave temple architecture. Early cave temples which can still be found are – Indragiri and Chandragiri at Shravanabelagola; Khandagiri cave temple in Tamil Nadu; Sittannavasal in Tamil Nadu, Badami in Karnataka.

There are Jain temples in other Indian cities such as Gwalior, Mathura, Junagarh, Abu, Chittor. The style of architecture and sculpture in these temples are some of the finest specimens of India. Some examples are temples of Abu, the Jaina tower at Chittorgarh, the elephant caves of Orissa and the 70 feet high idol of Bahubali in Mysore.

• Jain Literary Work

Jainism literature emphasised upon growth and advancement of the local dialects like Ardha Magadhi, Kanarese (Kannada), Sauraseni. Lord Mahavir preferred to preach in the common man’s language, Ardhamagadhi so that more people can understand it. Most Jain literature, including the sacred text The Agamus, was in Prakrit which was simple to use and not Sanskrit which only scholars could understand. 

Reasons behind Decline of Jainism

There were several reasons which led to the decline of Jainism in ancient India. The three main reasons are: 

• High Standard of Ethical Values of Jainism: A layman often found it difficult to endure the strict disciplinary path to be followed in Jainism which required severe penance and self-restrain
• Formation of Sects in Jainism: After Lord Mahavir left his body, infighting started among his followers on the way the Jain principles were to be followed. Such differences within the community created confusion among common people and they decided to give up Jainism
• Lack of Support from the Rulers:   later rulers, the revival of Hinduism under the Guptas, Cholas, Chalukyas and Rajput kings also contributed to its slow decline

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