Jainism & Buddhism

3. The Religious Movements (6th Century BCE)

The 6th century BCE was a period of great religious and intellectual ferment in India. Around 62 different philosophical sects emerged, but the most enduring and impactful were Jainism and Buddhism. The primary cause for their rise was widespread dissatisfaction with the rigid Varna system (which favored Brahmanas), the complex, expensive, and violent Vedic rituals (Yajnas), and the desire of the expanding Vaishya class (traders) for better social status.

Both religions were founded by Kshatriya princes, denied the authority of the Vedas, rejected animal sacrifice, and preached in the language of the common people (Prakrit and Pali) rather than elite Sanskrit.

A. Jainism

Origin and Tirthankaras:

• Jainism does not have a single founder. The truth is believed to be revealed sequentially by 24 Tirthankaras (prophets/ford-makers).
• The 1st Tirthankara was Rishabhadeva (mentioned in the Rig Veda).
• The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha (a prince of Kasi who lived 250 years before Mahavira). He gave four basic vows: Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), and Aparigraha (non-possession).

Vardhamana Mahavira (The 24th Tirthankara):

• Birth: Born in 540 BCE in Kundagrama (near Vaishali) into the Jnatrika Kshatriya clan. His father was Siddhartha, and his mother was Trishala (sister of the Lichchhavi chief Chetaka).
• Asceticism: He left home at age 30, wandered as an ascetic for 12 years, and attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya) at the age of 42 under a Sal tree on the banks of the river Rijupalika near Jrimbhikagrama.
• Teachings: He added a fifth vow to Parshvanatha's teachings: Brahmacharya (chastity). He preached extreme asceticism and extreme non-violence (Ahimsa).
• Death: He attained Nirvana/Moksha at age 72 at Pavapuri (near Rajagriha, Bihar).

Jain Philosophy and Sects:

• Triratna (Three Jewels): The path to liberation is right faith (Samyak Darshana), right knowledge (Samyak Jnana), and right conduct (Samyak Charitra).
• Anekantavada: The philosophy that truth and reality are complex and have multiple aspects (similar to the blind men and the elephant). It promotes tolerance of differing views.
• Sects: Due to a severe famine in Magadha, many Jains led by Bhadrabahu migrated South (to Sravanabelagola, Karnataka). Those who stayed in Magadha under Sthulabhadra adopted white clothes (Svetambaras). The southerners remained completely nude, following Mahavira's strict injunctions (Digambaras).

B. Buddhism

Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha):

• Birth: Born in 563 BCE in Lumbini (Nepal) in the Shakya Kshatriya clan. His father was Suddhodana, and his mother was Mahamaya (who died 7 days after his birth; he was raised by his stepmother, Gautami).
• The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana): Troubled by the sights of an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and an ascetic, he left his palace, wife (Yashodhara), and son (Rahula) at the age of 29 in search of truth.
• Enlightenment (Nirvana): After 6 years of extreme penance, he attained enlightenment at age 35 under a Pipal tree (Bodhi tree) at Bodh Gaya (Bihar) on the banks of the river Niranjana (Phalgu). He became the "Buddha" (The Enlightened One).
• First Sermon (Dharmachakrapravartana): He delivered his first sermon to his five former companions at the Deer Park in Sarnath (near Varanasi).
• Death (Mahaparinirvana): He passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar (UP).

Buddhist Philosophy:

• The core of his teaching is the Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya):
  1. The world is full of suffering (Dukkha).
  2. The cause of suffering is desire (Trishna).
  3. Suffering can be stopped if desire is conquered.
  4. The path to end desire is the Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) (Right view, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration).
• Buddha advocated the "Middle Path" (Madhyama Pratipada)—avoiding the extremes of severe asceticism and excessive indulgence.
• Buddhism does NOT recognize the soul (Anatman) or a supreme Creator God (Agnostic), contrasting sharply with Hinduism and Jainism.

Buddhist Councils:

1. First Council (483 BCE): Held at Rajagriha under patronage of Ajatashatru. Compiled the Sutta Pitaka (Buddha's teachings) and Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules).
2. Second Council (383 BCE): Held at Vaishali under Kalasoka.
3. Third Council (250 BCE): Held at Pataliputra by Emperor Ashoka. Compiled the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical interpretations) and sent missionaries abroad.
4. Fourth Council (72 CE): Held at Kundalvana, Kashmir by King Kanishka. Major Schism: Buddhism split into two major sects: Mahayana (Greater Vehicle - worshipped Buddha as a god with idols, used Sanskrit) and Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle - followed original teachings, no idol worship, used Pali).