Development of Hinduism

SR No.: 007303
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M M Ninan
Publisher: M M Ninan
Total Pages: 582
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

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8. AGE OF REASON
necessarily atheistic. It was the scientific theory of the time and was not to be thought of as a religion at all. These were the uprising of rationalism, which existed at all times in history. Buddhism and Jainism emerged in India during a period of great cultural, intellectual and spiritual development, with the influences of foreign cultures of Greece and Syria. Some of the previously accepted truths of the religion were beginning to be questioned and the religious leaders were being asked to defend their views and teachings. Furthermore, the old tribal structure of society was diminishing. Common people stood against the caste system introduced by the Brahmins. Instead of the gods who controlled the universe, scientific understanding of the laws of universe and beings were emphasized. The result was an increasing number of breakaway sects, of which Buddhism and Jainism were probably the most successful. They could trace their origins from the beginning of mankind.
Soon after the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in India, Vedic religion began to loose its grip in India. In Indian history Buddhism and Jainism practically eradicated Vedism. The whole of south India comprising the Deccan, Karnataka, Andhra and Tamilnadu was a great stronghold of Jains, especially Digambara Jains. By the time of Asoka Vedism practically disappeared from India. Both North and South India were Buddhist and Jain. Vedics remained as a small minority among the people who claimed Aryan origin.
"The Satavahanas (28 BC - 250 AD), also known as the Andhras, emerged as an independent power in the Deccan in the first century BC. It was founded by Simuka (65 BC - 25 BC). His son, Satakarni (25 BC - 20 AD), succeeded him. Under the Satavahanas, many Buddhist worshipping halls (Chaityas) and monasteries (Viharas) were cut out from rocks. Some famous examples are Amravati and Nagarjuna Konda. Buddhist cave temples were also cut at the now-famous sites of Ajanta and Ellora." http://nabataea.net/sindia.html
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