Jainism in Early India essays

Jainism in Early India essays During the fifth and sixth centuries B.C.E. many new religions and philosophies sprang up in India that appealed to the interests of new social classes. Among the most influential of these new religions was Jainism. Jainism had strong foundations, and formed into a unique and influential religion, but many factors might explain why it never became as successful as Hinduism or Buddhism. Vardhamana Mahavira was a great teacher of Jainism who helped it become popular. Legend has it that he spent twelve years in the Ganges Valley, after which he gained enlightenment and many disciples. These disciples referred to him as Jina (the conqueror), and to themselves as Jains. Jains believed that everything in the universe possessed a soul, and could experience physical and psychological suffering. Only by purification from selfish behavior could souls gain release from their imprisonment, shed their karma, and reach the eternal state of bliss. The way that the people underwent purification was by observing the law of ahimsa, or nonviolence to other living things or their souls. Jain monks went to extremes observing this law, and avoiding all the tiny souls that surrounded them. Jainism represented an attractive alternative to the traditional sacrificial cults of early India. Jainist values and ethics had significant social implications. If all these souls participated in the ultimate reality of the world, social hierarchies made no sense. The Jains did not recognize these classes of human beings based on caste or jati. Because of this, their faith became popular especially among members of lower castes who did not command much respect in the traditional social order, including merchants, scholars, and literary figures. They did little overt violence to other creatures, and appreciated the high moral standards that Jainism encouraged. Ultimately, Jainist ethics were so demanding that few people ot ...