History for SSC Chapter 3 : Religious Movements

RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

(Chapter 3 – Ancient Indian History)

Introduction

In 6th century BC, India witnessed emergence of several religious sects. This was primarily due to growing social and religious unrest within the varna-based society. Common people were tired of the complex as well as expensive rituals and sacrifices propagated in the later Vedic period. The varna-divided society gave rise to discord among people as more privileges were given to the two higher varnas of Brahmanas and Kshatriyas. As many as 62 religious sects can be traced. Out of these, Jainism and Buddhism turned out to be the most potent religious reform movements.

The Varna system, in this period is found to have become birth based. The Vaishyas were engaged in agriculture and trade and appear to be principal tax payers. The Shudras, in this period, were slaves to the rest of the higher varnas. Clearly, there was scope for tension in the society. However, the most prominent reaction to this inequality was from Kshatriyas who challenged the domination of the priestly class of Brahmanas. Mahavira and Buddha were both from ruling Kshatriya families who opposed Brahmanic faith and philosophy. In course of this, Jainism and Buddhism arose as popular religious movements.

Learning Objectives

In this chapter, you will learn about:

• Jainism

• Life and times of Mahavira

• Teachings of Jainism

• Literary Activities in Jainism

• Buddhism

• Life and times of Buddha

• Buddhist Literature

• Buddhist Sangeeti

Jainism

It is believed by Jains that Jainism originated in ancient times. It is believed to have been founded by Rishabhadeva. He is also known as Adinath. His son was Bharata. Reference to Rishabhadeva is abundant in many Vedic texts and Puranas. He is described as the incarnation of Narayana, the Vedic Supreme God, in Vishnu Purana and Bhagavat Purana. He is said to be the first Tirthankara or propagator. He was succeeded by 23 other Tirthankaras, wherein Parsavnatha was the 23rd and Vardhamana Mahavira the 24th Tirthankara. All of them either hailed from or were connected to royal Kshatriya families. It was under Vardhamana Mahavira that Jainism gained popularity and became a major religion.

Life and Times of Mahavira

• Mahavira was born in 540 BC in Kundagrama, a village near Vaishali in Bihar.

• His original name was Vardhmana.

• His father was the leader of a well-known Kshatriya family, Jnatrika, and his mother was a Lichchhavi princess. The names of his relatives were:

  • Siddhartha – Father

  • Trishala – Mother

  • Yashoda – Wife

  • Annoja Priyadarsina – Daughter

  • Jamil – Son-in-law

• At 30 years of age, he became an ascetic and constantly travelled from one place to another.

• At 42, he acquired kaivalya or perfect knowledge at Jambhika Gram on the river Rijupalika or Rijukala’s banks, through which he overcame sadness and happiness. Due to this, he is known as Mahavira or Jina or the conqueror and his followers are referred to as Jainas.

• His son-in-law, Jamil, became his first disciple.

• He travelled to Kosala, Magadha, Mithila, Champa, etc. to preach his faith.

• He organized Sanghas to promote Jainism. Both men and women were allowed in these Sanghas and monks as well as followers were part of it.

• He died in 468 BC at 72 years of age in Pavapuri near modern-day Rajgir in Bihar.

• He propagated his teachings for 30 years.

Teachings of Jainism

Jainism taught five doctrines known as the five Mahavratas of Jainism.

Mahavratas of Jainism

• Parsvanatha gave the first four doctrines and Mahavira added the fifth one.

• Jainism rejected the authority of Vedas and Vedic rituals.

• It recognized the existence of Gods but placed them lower than the Jina.

• According to Jainism, a man’s deeds or karma and the results of those deeds or Karmafal formed his destiny and not God.

• It believed that souls are found everywhere, including in stones, rocks, leaves, etc., and that they transmigrate.

• Jainism says that the eternal world is full of sorrow and salvation can be attained only when all possessions are deserted.

• It believed in non-violence in speech, thought and action.

• It was against caste system and promoted a simple and strict life.

Triratnas of Jainism

• Samyaka Vishwas – Right faith in the omniscient Lord Mahavira

• Samyaka Gyan/Jnan – Right knowledge of Jainism’s doctrines

• Samyaka Karma – Implementation of the Jainism’s five Mahavratas

It considered that Moksha or Nirvana was every human’s most vital desire and it can be achieved by practicing the preceding Triratnas of Jainism.

Jain Sangeeti

Jain Sangeeti or council is referred to the conferences of Jainism.

Most Important Jain Sangeetis

Jain Sects

Parsvanatha instructed his followers to cover their bodies’ upper and lower part. But his successor, Mahavira told them to get rid of clothes completely. Then, Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya led many Jain monks to Sravan Belogola in Karnataka, but many monks stayed behind in North India. A monk, Sthulabahu led those who stayed in North India and modified the code of conduct for monks. This led to Jainism’s division in the following two sects:

• Svetambaras – Wore white clothes; Sthulabahu was their leader

• Digambaras – Remained naked or sky clad; Bhadrabahu was their leader

Note: Bhadrabahu wrote Kalpasutra, which deals with the life of Jain Tirthankaras.

Important Facts

• Jainism spread to Kalinga in Orissa in 4th century BC and Jain relics as well as inscriptions can be found at Hathi Gumpha, Udaigiri and Khandagiri.

• Chandragupta Maurya, Kalinga’s Kharvela, Gujarat’s Solanki rulers, Rashtrakuta king – Indra IV, South India’s royal dynasties such as, Gangas, Kadambas and Chalukyas were followers of Jainism.

• Jain architecture’s finest examples are Dilwara temple at Mount Abu, temples at Ranakapur and Jain mandir at Khajuraho.

Literary Activities in Jainism

• Jainas adopted Prakrit Language to carry out their literary works. Their religious or canons were written in Ardhamagadhi and compiled in 6th century BC in Valabhi in present day Gujarat.

• Marathi and Kannada are two languages that grew out of Prakrit.

• Jain literature consists of Apabhramhsha and grammar. They also contain epics, Puranas, novels and drama.

Buddhism

4

Buddhism is a religion that encompasses the ideas and beliefs based on Siddhartha Gautama’s teachings. Buddhism preached a moderate or a middle path for getting salvation. It gives its follower the right to choose either a life of luxury or rigorous simplicity. Moreover, unlike Jainism, it condemns the practice of being naked or sky clad.

Life and Times of Buddha

• He was born in 563 BC in a Shakya clan family in Lumbini near Kapilavastu, located in the foothills of present day Nepal.

• His original name was Siddhartha.

• His father was Kapilavastu’s elected ruler as well as the leader of the Shakyas’ republican clan. His mother was a princess belonging to Kosalan dynasty. The names of his relatives were:

  • Shuddhodana – Father

  • Mahamaya – Mother

  • Yashodhara – Wife

  • Rahul – Son

  • Devdatta – Cousin

• His mother died after seven days of his birth and he was brought up by his aunt, Prajapati Gautami.

• He was taught meditation by Alara Kama, due to which he is known as Buddha’s first Guru.

• He was Mahavira’s contemporary.

• He was married young but had little interest in his married life.

• One night, at the age of 29, accompanied by his charioteer Channa, and his favourite horse, Kanthaka, he left his home. This event of his life is known as the Great Going Forth or Mahabiniskramana.

• After roaming around for seven years, he finally achieved enlightenment under a pipal tree on the banks of the river Nilanjana in Bodh Gaya at 35 years of age.

• Since then, he came to be known as Buddha or The Enlightened.

• He gave his first sermon, known as Dharmachakraparivartan or Set in motion the wheel of law, at Deer Park located in Sarnath in Banaras to five ascetics – Assaji, Mogallana, Upali, Sariputta and Anand.

• He delivered most of his sermons at Sravasti in Uttar Pradesh.

• His disciplined body of monks was known as Bhikshus (beggars). Ananda was his chief disciple.

• He died in 483 BC at 83 years of age in Kusinagar, a place similar to Kasia village in Deoria district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The cause of his death was food poisoning which he got after eating pork at the house of Chunda, a blacksmith from Pava nagar.

Most Important Events of Buddha’s Life

Teachings of Buddha

Buddha propagated four noble truths or Arya-Satyas:

1. Dukkha – the world is full of sorrow

2. Dukkha Samuddaya – human desire is the root of all sorrow

3. Dukkha Nirodha – the sorrow can be stopped by overcoming one’s desires

4. Dukkha Nirodhagamini – the eight-fold path or Astangika Marga for ending sorrow

He suggested following the eight-fold path or Astangika Marga for terminating all sorrow and achieving Nirvana or salvation:

• Right Observation

• Right Determination

• Right Speech

• Right Action

• Right means of Livelihood

• Right Exercise

• Right Memory

• Right Meditation

He also created a code of conduct for his followers:

• Not to covet property of others

• Practice non-violence

• Not to use intoxicants

• Not to lie

• Not to indulge in corrupt activities

He promoted the belief of non-existence of God and soul or atama.
He condemned the Varna or caste system due to which people from lower castes gave him their support.
Initially, women were not allowed in Sangha, but later, on the insistence of Ananda, Buddha allowed women in Sangha or order.
Prajapati Gautami was the first woman disciple in the Sangha.

Do You Know?

The three jewels of Buddhism are:

• Buddha – The Enlightened

• Dhamma – The Doctrine

• Sangha – The order

Buddhist Literature

• Buddhist scriptures were written in Pali and are referred to as Pitakas.

Three Important Pitakas (Tripitakas)

Other Buddhist literary works include Milindpanho, a dialogue between monk Nagasena and King Menander, and Buddhacharita, Buddha’s biography written by Ashwahgosa.
The Jatakas dealt with the stories of Buddha’s previous life.

Buddhist Sangeetis

4

As in the case of Jainism, Buddhists also conducted conferences that were known as Buddhist Sangeetis or councils.

Major Buddhist Sangeetis

Summary

In this chapter, you learned that:

• In 6th century BC, India witnessed emergence of several religious sects due to unrest in varna-based society. Jainism and Buddhism emerged as the most potent movements.

Jainism

• Founded by Rishabhadeva (Adinath)

• Parsvanatha – 23rd Tirthankara

• Mahavira – 24th Tirthankara

• Five Mahavratas: Ahimsa, Sathya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya

• Two sects: Svetambaras and Digambaras

Mahavira

• Born in 540 BC, Kundagrama

• Attained kaivalya at 42

• Died in 468 BC at Pavapuri

Buddhism

• Founded by Gautama Buddha

• Middle path doctrine

• Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path

Buddha

• Born in 563 BC, Lumbini

• Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya

• Died in 483 BC, Kusinagar