what were the conditions in India on the eve of the rise of Buddhism and Jainism
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Before the 6th century BC witnessed great religious unrest in India.
1. Position of Vedic Religion in 6th Century BC:
The Vedic religion had lost its original purity and become very complex.
Greater importance was attached to ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices. They were very costly and the poor could not afford to perform them.
The Brahmins had the monopoly vedic religion and dominated every aspect of life from birth to death.
2.The caste system had become very rigid and there was no social mobility.
3.The Sudras were regarded as untouchable. They could not enter temples, recite mantras and draw water from wells.
The time was right for social change and for new ideas.
Role of Some free thinkers and Sadhus during this period:
Different means were advocated to attain 'Moksha' by the intellectuals.
Some free thinkers and sadhus gave up sacrifices and preached the doctrine of 'Karma'. According to them right conduct was the only means to obtain salvation.
Some preached asceticism 'Tapas' and self mortification to attain salvation.
But the intellectuals said that Moksha could be attained by 'Gyana' (True Knowledge).
During this period of confusion, many religious sects emerged.
Out of them, Jainism and Buddhism survived. Both were the reformation movements to rid Hinduism of some of its evils. They drew inspiration from the teachings and the spiritual life of the Hindus. But, in the course of time, they became distinct religions, independent of Hinduism.
Causes for the rise of Buddhism and Jainism:
Jainism and Buddhism were a reaction against the existing Hindu religion which had developed many serious defects. The following are among the main causes :
1. Excessive Ritualism: Certain religious practices, rites and ceremonies in Hinduism had become too cumbersome, elaborate and costly. It had become difficult for the common people to practise this religion.
2. Expensive Sacrifices (Yagnas) and dominance of the Brahmins: The priestly class which dominated Brahmanism insisted that sacrifices and yagnas were necessary for salvation. There were also many household rites for which the services of the Brahmans were necessary. It became the duty of every family to perform yagnas which the poor people could not afford.
3. Rigid Caste System: The caste system had become very rigid and oppressive. The people of the lower castes Sudras, ("Untouchables") were ill-treated by the higher castes. They were not treated as human beings at all. They had to live outside the village. They were not allowed to enter the temples. They could not even draw water from the same wells. On the contrary in Buddhism as well as Jainism, there was no caste distinction. All people were equal participants.
1. Position of Vedic Religion in 6th Century BC:
The Vedic religion had lost its original purity and become very complex.
Greater importance was attached to ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices. They were very costly and the poor could not afford to perform them.
The Brahmins had the monopoly vedic religion and dominated every aspect of life from birth to death.
2.The caste system had become very rigid and there was no social mobility.
3.The Sudras were regarded as untouchable. They could not enter temples, recite mantras and draw water from wells.
The time was right for social change and for new ideas.
Role of Some free thinkers and Sadhus during this period:
Different means were advocated to attain 'Moksha' by the intellectuals.
Some free thinkers and sadhus gave up sacrifices and preached the doctrine of 'Karma'. According to them right conduct was the only means to obtain salvation.
Some preached asceticism 'Tapas' and self mortification to attain salvation.
But the intellectuals said that Moksha could be attained by 'Gyana' (True Knowledge).
During this period of confusion, many religious sects emerged.
Out of them, Jainism and Buddhism survived. Both were the reformation movements to rid Hinduism of some of its evils. They drew inspiration from the teachings and the spiritual life of the Hindus. But, in the course of time, they became distinct religions, independent of Hinduism.
Causes for the rise of Buddhism and Jainism:
Jainism and Buddhism were a reaction against the existing Hindu religion which had developed many serious defects. The following are among the main causes :
1. Excessive Ritualism: Certain religious practices, rites and ceremonies in Hinduism had become too cumbersome, elaborate and costly. It had become difficult for the common people to practise this religion.
2. Expensive Sacrifices (Yagnas) and dominance of the Brahmins: The priestly class which dominated Brahmanism insisted that sacrifices and yagnas were necessary for salvation. There were also many household rites for which the services of the Brahmans were necessary. It became the duty of every family to perform yagnas which the poor people could not afford.
3. Rigid Caste System: The caste system had become very rigid and oppressive. The people of the lower castes Sudras, ("Untouchables") were ill-treated by the higher castes. They were not treated as human beings at all. They had to live outside the village. They were not allowed to enter the temples. They could not even draw water from the same wells. On the contrary in Buddhism as well as Jainism, there was no caste distinction. All people were equal participants.
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Causes for the growth of Buddhism and Jainism
The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century B.C.
The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period were not acceptable to the common people. The sacrificial ceremonies were also found to be too expensive. The superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the people.
The teachings of Upanishads, an alternative to the system of sacrifices, were highly philosophical in nature and therefore were not easily understood by all. Therefore, what was needed in the larger interests of the people was a simple, short and intelligible way to salvation for all people. This need was fulfilled by the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira.
Other than the religious factor, social and economic factors also contributed to the rise of these two religions. The rigid caste system prevalent in India generated tensions in the society. Higher classes enjoyed certain privileges which were denied to the lower classes. Also, the Kshatriyas had resented the domination of the priestly class. It should also to be noted that both Buddha and Mahavira belonged to Kshatriya origin.
The growth of trade led to the improvement in the economic conditions of the Vaisyas. As a result, they wanted to enhance their social status but the orthodox Varna system did not allow this. Therefore, they began to extend support to Buddhism and Jainism. It was this merchant class that extended the chief support to these new religions.
Five Great Events of Buddha’s Life and their Symbols
Birth – Lotus and bull
Great renunciation – Horse
Nirvana – Bodhi tree
First Sermon – Dharmachakra or wheel
Parinirvana or death – Stupa
The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th century B.C.
The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the Later Vedic period were not acceptable to the common people. The sacrificial ceremonies were also found to be too expensive. The superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the people.
The teachings of Upanishads, an alternative to the system of sacrifices, were highly philosophical in nature and therefore were not easily understood by all. Therefore, what was needed in the larger interests of the people was a simple, short and intelligible way to salvation for all people. This need was fulfilled by the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira.
Other than the religious factor, social and economic factors also contributed to the rise of these two religions. The rigid caste system prevalent in India generated tensions in the society. Higher classes enjoyed certain privileges which were denied to the lower classes. Also, the Kshatriyas had resented the domination of the priestly class. It should also to be noted that both Buddha and Mahavira belonged to Kshatriya origin.
The growth of trade led to the improvement in the economic conditions of the Vaisyas. As a result, they wanted to enhance their social status but the orthodox Varna system did not allow this. Therefore, they began to extend support to Buddhism and Jainism. It was this merchant class that extended the chief support to these new religions.
Five Great Events of Buddha’s Life and their Symbols
Birth – Lotus and bull
Great renunciation – Horse
Nirvana – Bodhi tree
First Sermon – Dharmachakra or wheel
Parinirvana or death – Stupa
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