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Āryan category. Then, there are religions of the Far East as those of Confucianism and Shintoism of China and Japan.
In the category of Āryan religions, Vedic or Hindu religion is considered to be predominantly Pravritti (action) centered while Jaina and Buddhist religions are Nivritti (renunciation) centered. This renunciation-centered tradition was known as Sramaņa tradition or Arhat tradition. Both the Jaina and the Buddhist religions belong to the Sramana tradition. The main characteristic feature of śramana tradition is that it highlights the essential sufferings of worldly life and existence, and with the medium of renunciation and detachment the ultimate goal or Moksa or Nirvāna is achieved. This tradition of the path of renunciation with its focus on spiritual endeavor and establishment of moral values in the names of Silas and Vratas has given its special contribution to the history of basket of Indian religions.
The ancient Šramana tradition includes not only Jaina and Buddhist streams but also the Aupanisadika and the SānkhyaYoga streams, which have become a part of broad Hindu religion. Besides these, there were some other streams that are lost today in antiquity such as Ājivakas. Today, among the living religions of Śramana tradition the Buddhist and the Jaina traditions have kept their identity. Though Buddhism originated, grew and developed in India it spread and got a foothold in the Far East countries, and remained lost in India for about one thousand years. But it is heartening to note that it is reestablishing itself in India. As far as the Jaina streamof Arhat or Sramana traditon is concerned, it haskept its identity in the Indian soil from very ancient times till today. In the following pages we will venture into an historical discussion on this.
In the early period of Indian history, we find signs of the existence of Śramana culture in the archeological remains from
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Jainism and its History | 14
| SR No. | 032590 |
| Book Title | Jainism And Its History |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Sagarmal Jain |
| Publisher | Research Foundation for Jainology |
| Publication Year | 2018 |
| Total Pages | 328 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 34 MB |