Chronicles of India: Decline of Jainism

Development of Jainism as a religion is seen as a response to the then Brahmin dominated Hinduism. It attracted followers initially but soon lost the steam. Some of the major reasons are:
  1. Austerity: Jainism is a tough religion to practice. Apart from the very tough conditions for monks which included absolute control over senses, renunciation of physical objects etc., the households didn’t have it easy either.
  2. Lack of Patronage: Jainism initially had the patronage of some great kings including Chandragupta Maurya, Kharvela and Ajatshatru. But it isn’t easy being a king and strictly following the ideals of nonviolence and hence Jainism soon gave way to Buddhism and Hinduism.
  3. Advent of Buddhism: Buddhism rose at the same time as Jainism. Thus Jainism had to compete with a religion which was less demanding from the followers. Buddhism looked more practical to those who wanted to escape the Brahmin dominated Hinduism.
  4. Division into sects: Jainism divided into two sects: Digambars and Shwetambars. This division weakened Jainism.
  5. Revival of Hinduism: Development of Bhawatism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism attracted those who wanted an easier way to salvation. The rigorous rituals and ceremonies gave way to Bhakti as a way to connect with god.
Jains are currently minorities in India, with a total number of around 4.5 million. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting Things Done: A Beginner's Guide

Buddha said the world is full of suffering, and I have scrolled enough social media to realize that is indeed the case. Heck, it feels like doomsday is around the corner. There is just misery all around. Everyone has got something which needs to be done!   There are problems spanning decades and unresolved issues plaguing generations, and this is without counting the Indian men's cricket team's propensity to lose in knockout matches. Therefore, to no one's surprise, the modern world is looking for problem solvers, people who can deconstruct these multi-layered, nuanced points of contention and arrive at an acceptable solution.   With 29 years of experience at being alive, a few months at an MNC and now 2 odd months in government, I have some ideas that should help a newcomer become the go-to man for any crisis. Like any other success guru, these are not at all well-researched and are purely anecdotal in nature.    Let's start with the primary answer to problems - money.
Read more

Comfortably Numb

Image
I have heard it a lot. It's all over movies, books, podcasts and WhatsApp forwards. Life ought to be enjoyed. Wake up, seize the day, Watch the sunset, go hiking! It all feels inspiring and transcendental. Anything out of the routine must be good, I suppose.  But I must admit, I just don't get it. It doesn't do the trick, or I may not be cut out for it. I have gone out with friends to watch the sun rise or set innumerable times. There are always murmurs of the extraordinary beauty of the phenomenon. If some lake or sea is on the horizon, the excitement levels are off the charts. And there, I feel like a UPSC topper being asked about tips and tricks to clear the exam. I can act like I know what's happening, but that's a facade we all like to collectively believe in. It might feel that I have an agenda against the sun, but my numbness isn't limited to the sun. I am trying to figure out why I should be amazed by the clouds. The planes have taken me over them, lit
Read more

The Power of Unmanifesting

Image
Rohit Sharma had been timing the ball well, Shami was on song, and Kohli had never been more determined. The 2023 Cricket World Cup could not have come at a better time. The Indian team was riding high on form and practice. In a quiet corner of Kolkata, Abhishek had been manifesting this. An ardent fan of the Indian cricket team, he has been manifesting this situation since 2019. Brick by brick, he visualised each batsman getting into a particular role, each bowler perfecting their wide yorkers. But by 2023, it was too much for God. God had grown increasingly tired of the constant bitching and interference of Abhishek in his plans. S/he originally wanted India to win the cup, but Abhishek annoyed him more than the pop-up ads. No wonder India faltered at the last step! Manifestation is the buzzword these days. It has taken over the world by storm. People are manifesting to lose weight, start a business, or get a degree. However, it is all hogwash, a product of the greased wheels o
Read more