What were the causes for the rise of Buddhism and Jainism?
Answers
1)to fight about caste, creed etc
Answer:
1) reaction against ritualism
a) the rituals and religious ceremonies became very expensive.
b) the brahmins did not understand the suffering of the common people in performing these rituals as they were very expensive.
2) corruption in religion.
a) the brahmins enforced the common people to perform yagnas and religious ceremonies which were beyond their means.
b) the Kshatriya caste also started to protest against the corruption in the religion by the bramins.
3) rigid caste system
a) the caste system was really rigid that a person could not change from one caste to another.
b) the caste of a particular person depended on birth.
c) this did not allow any social mobility.
4) difficult language
a) Sanskrit was considered as a sacred language.
b) the brahmins chanted the mantras in Sanskrit and the common people found it very tough to understand.
5) political situation
a) during the 16th century , Magadha was ruled by bimbisara and then later by ajatasatru.
b) these two rulers were very liberal and tolerant.
c) they condemned brahminic influence and social evils.
d) when the opportunity came , both the rulers started to practice Buddhism and Jainism.
d) agricultural practices
a) killing of animals for religious sacrifices was not in the liking of the farmers.
b) thus, they wanted a religion which which could protect their animals.
c) both Jainism and Buddhism support non-violence.