RISE OF JAINISM AND BUDDHISM

RISE OF JAINISM AND BUDDHISM

CAUSES

1. COMPLEXITIES OF THE VEDIC RELIGION: During the early Vedic age the religion of the people was quite simple and pure. However, by the 6^th century BC the Vedic religion and philosophy lost their original purity. Religion became a complex mixture of sacrifices, rituals and mantras. The rituals and ceremonies were made so elaborate and expensive that they were no longer within the reach of the average people. The Vedic hymns were replaced by formulae, which were believed to posses divine powers. These practices gradually led to the creeping in of superstitious beliefs within the otherwise simple and meaningful religion.
2. PREDOMINANCE OF PRIESTLY CLASS: As the Vedic religion assumed the nature of complexity, a professional class of priests emerged to perform the lengthy and complicated rituals associated with various sacrifices. This class of priests who were drawn from the Brahmin caste claimed a prominent position in the society. In order to maintain their hold over the society they further complicated the religion by introducing unnecessary rituals and practices by which the sacrifices became lengthy and costlier. This class of priests dominated every aspect of the Aryan life right from birth to even after death. Their greed for dakshina and arrogance of their position in society and religion gradually led the people to lose faith both in the Brahmanic religion and the priestly class.
3. SACRIFICES: Sacrifices became an integral part of the religious life of the Vedic people. Initially the Vedic Aryans used grains, vegetables, fruits and milk and milk products as sacrificial offerings. However, gradually animal and even human sacrifices came to be prescribed. The common people found it difficult to provide animals to these sacrifices. The public sacrifices conducted by the rulers such as asvamedha drained the treasury of the state.  Besides, the merciless killing of the animals in the name of sacrifice crated revulsion among the more sensitive people. Thus many of these people were against the system that promoted cruelty against animals and exploited common folk.
4. DIFFICULT LANGUAGE: Sanskrit the language of sacrifices and rituals as well as of sacred literature of the Vedic age was beyond the comprehension of the common people. The Brahmins who had a monopoly on the study of the language were essential for any kind of sacrifice either domestic or public. As the common people could not understand the language, their participation in various religious rituals was only physical and not spiritual. Thus, the people developed an indifferent attitude towards the religious ceremonies. Their involvement in the sacrifices was limited to providing animals and dakshina to the priests and making arrangements for the sacrifices. This system of religion could not satisfy the spiritual yearnings of the common people. Hence they became receptive when new teachings and philosophy was presented before them in their own language.
5. ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF SALVATION: While the priestly classes were emphasizing the Karma Marg by performing sacrifices and samskaras in order to achieve the final deliverance, those who were disgusted with the existing complexities of religious practices were preaching an alternative path to achieve the same end. These included the doctrine of Tapas or self-mortification as a means of realizing god. These alternative means of self-realization of the Supreme Spirit and the Gyana Marg as a means of realizing god. These alternative means of salvation played a great role in the emergence of Jainism and Buddhism.
6. CASTE SYSTEM: By the 6th century BC the caste system had become quite rigid. The post Vedic society was clearly divided into 4 main castes – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The caste divided society created tensions. There was a tussle between the Kshatriyas and the Brahmans. The Kshatriyas reacted against the privileged position of the Brahmins in society. Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, who belonged to the Kshatriya caste, challenged the authority of the priestly class. Hence, Jainism and Buddhism can be considered as the Kshatriya reaction to Brahmin dominated Vedic religion.
7. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY: The migration of the Aryans in the Gangetic valley led to the development of agricultural economy on a large scale. The use of iron tools made possible clearance of forests and large settlements. As iron ploughshare was used to till the land bullocks were required to pull the ploughs and animal husbandry was essential for the progress of agrarian economy. However the practice of animal sacrifice in which cattle were killed indiscriminately indirectly hampered the progress of agriculture.
8. RISE OF CITIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE: The period witnessed the rise of a large number of cities in northeastern India. The chief cities were Kausambi, Kusinagar, Benaras. These cities had many artisans and traders. They began to use punch marked coins for the first time. The use of coins facilitated trade and commerce. This added to the importance of the Vaishyas. Under these circumstances, the Vaishyas looked for some religion which would improve their status. Thus, when Mahavira and Buddha preached their new religions, they received full support from this caste.