Decline of Jainism

The decline of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion rooted in non-violence and spiritual austerity, can be attributed to a combination of historical, social, and political factors. During the medieval period, Jainism faced challenges such as the political dominance of other religious groups, especially Hinduism and Islam, which led to a decline in patronage and support for Jain institutions.

The spread of the Bhakti and Sufi movements, along with the caste system prevalent in Indian society, posed obstacles to the growth of Jainism. Moreover, economic changes and foreign invasions contributed to the erosion of Jain influence and the decline of its monastic institutions.

While Jainism persisted in certain areas, it experienced a declining political and cultural presence compared to earlier periods. Despite these challenges, Jainism remains an integral part of India’s religious landscape, and its devout followers continue to uphold its principles of nonviolence, truth, and spiritual liberation.

Decline of Jainism

Introduction

Jainism is an ancient religion based on a philosophy that provides all sentient beings with a path to liberation, spiritual purity, and enlightenment through disciplined non-violence. Mahavira and Gautam Buddha were contemporaries who founded their religions based on their different belief systems. There were several Demerits of Jainism.

Causes of Decline of Jainism

Jainism rose to prominence in the sixth century BCE. as a result of Lord Mahavira’s promotion of faith. Jainism is a Hindu religion that emphasizes austerity, spiritual purity, and self-reliance. Its adherents are known as Jains and believe that the soul is eternal and that the cycle of rebirth can be ended by strict ethical and spiritual discipline. The following are some of the main factors behind the downfall of Jainism in India:

(1) Lack of royal patronage

To begin with, the early pace of royal support for Jainism by Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Udayin, and Kharavela was not sustained by subsequent kings and princes. Rather, the zeal and determination to propagate Buddhism of Ashoka, Kanishka, and Harsha began to prevail over Jainism. As a result, Jainism was marginalized due to a lack of real and devoted royal support.

(2) Severity of Jainism

The severity of Jainism turned on it and caused its demise. In contrast to the Buddhist “middle way,” Jainism advocated extreme penance, meditation, fasting, and abstinence, among other things. They were all too much to bear. People were quickly disillusioned with this. Jainism, which was once loved, became alienated from the people over time.

(3) Unintelligible Philosophy

Most of the Jain philosophy was incomprehensible to the general public. People did not understand the terms Jeeva, Ajeeva, Pudgala, Syadbada, and so on. Many people refused to believe that stone, water, trees, or the earth had souls of their own. As a result, popular faith in Jainism gradually declined. This contributed to its demise.

(4) Factionalism in Jainism

The collapse of Jainism was caused by factionalism among the Jains after Mahavira’s death. Some now advocated a literal following of Mahavira’s teachings, while others desired to moderate the harshness of Jainism. As a result, the schism caused a split in the Jain ranks. They were now divided into two groups: Digambara Jainism and Svetambara Jainism. The former, led by Bhadrabahu, abandoned clothing, practiced severe penance for self-purification, and became apathetic to worldly life. The ‘Swetamvara’ faction commanded by Sthulabahu dressed in white. The schism damaged Jainism, and as a result, its spread was limited.

(5) Spread of Buddhism

The rise and expansion of Buddhism played a significant role in the demise of Jainism. Buddhism was quite simple. The Buddha rejected harsh hardships and advocated the “Middle Way”. It’s simple enough for a layman to follow. Consequently, it posed a challenge to Jainism. In addition, the collapse of Jainism was accelerated by the advent of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. People followed it because there was no such harshness.

(6) Inadequate Effort

There has also been a deterioration in the missionary zeal and sincerity of the Jain mendicants. They were no more selective in their efforts to propagate Jainism in villages and towns. Merchants and traders remained committed to Jainism. But they had no time to work for the spread of Jainism.

(7) Role of Hindu Preachers

Jainism faced the challenges of Hinduism. Nimbarka, Ramanuja, Sankaracharya, and others came to strengthen the foundations of Hinduism. The rise of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism reduced Jainism to insignificance. As a result, the decline of Jainism became inevitable. Thus, Jainism, which had gained strength, began to decline with the introduction of Buddhism. Hindu preachers constantly hindered the expansion of Jainism. As a result, it decreased.

(8) Rise of Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism

The rise of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism faded Jainism into comparative insignificance, and new religious philosophers like Nimbarka, Ramanuja, Sankaracharya, etc. came to make the foundations of Hinduism firmer.

(9) Negative contribution of Jain monks

Unfortunately, many orthodox and far-sighted Jain monks were also the main reason for the decline of Jainism. While Jain monks in ancient India initiated millions of people into Jainism, Jain monks of a later period stopped this kind of initiation. The worst was that some orthodox Jain monks and Bhattarakas started expelling people from the Jain community. Most of the Jain monks have always said that in the fifth era, Jainism is declining day by day. This statement has been hammered home for hundreds of years. The statement worked like a car draft, killing the spirit of the enthusiastic monks. A large number of Jain monks have lost respect due to their immoral and corrupt activities. This forced many people to leave Jainism.

(10) Money Orientation

When warriors and Brahmins abandoned Jainism, this religion came under the control of the Baniya (traders) people. Since they were essentially money-oriented people, money became the most important thing in the Jain religion. Building more and more temples became a matter of preference. Baniyas started decorating the Jain idols with ornaments. Donations to temples and rituals became the sole purpose of religion. Temples became auction sites for rituals. For these people, knowledge was always the least priority.

(11) Fierce Differences with Brahmanical Religion

Jainism was strongly opposed to Brahmanical religion, and Brahmins always opposed this religion. Due to their opposition, the importance of Jainism ended. Until the reign of Ajaypal, the Jain temple had completely lost its dignity.

(12)  Rigidity of Principles

The principles of this religion were extremely strict and could not be easily followed by the general public. For example, the strict principles of non-violence could not be accepted by all. They could not endure all physical hardships through hardness.

(13) Non-violence

The main reason for the decline of Jainism was the impractical form of non-violence it created. The way the idea of ​​observing non-violence was presented. His observance of Mass was difficult. As a result, the agrarian Indian population became indifferent to Jainism. Only business-class people living in the city are attracted to him.

(13) Rigorous austerities

In Jainism, the emphasis is on striving for fasting, working for death, renunciation, fasting, capillary discharge, attachment, etc. But it was impossible for a common householder to experience this kind of austerity.

(14) Sangha Sangathan

The organizational set-up of Jain associations was monarchical. It had to ignore the thoughts and wishes of religious leaders and lay members. This reduced the interest of the general public.

(15) Weak Role of Warriors

Its warriors play a very important role in the propagation of any religion. Later, Jainism lacked good religious preachers and blocked the way for the spread of Jainism. No sustained organized effort was made to propagate, so Jainism remained confined to India.

(16) Feeling of Discrimination

Mahavir Swami opened the door of Jainism to all castes and religions, but later a feeling of discrimination developed.

(17) Rule by Muslim Rulers

Muslim rulers invaded India, achieved victory, and built mosques and tombs on the foundations of Jain temples. Allauddin Khilji destroyed many Jain temples. Most of the Jaini Talwar ferries were overthrown, and the Jain libraries were destroyed. Due to all these reasons, Jainism was destroyed.

(18) Improvement of Brahmanism

Jesus The initial state of this In Vedic mythology, Brahmin Dharma reformed his religion by removing its radical distortions. Because of this, people’s interest in Shaiva and Vaishnavism increased.

Conclusion

Lord Mahavira’s promotion of Jainism propelled it to popularity in the sixth century BCE. Jainism is a Hindu religion that emphasizes austerity, spiritual purity, and self-reliance. There were several of them. Jainism has various shortcomings. The rise of Buddhism was a major factor in the demise of Jainism. Buddhism was very simple.

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