Historical Position of Jainism

SR No.: 250114
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J S Jetly
Publisher: Z_Vijay_Vallabh_suri_Smarak_Granth_012060.pdf
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 5
Language: English
Classification: Article & History
File Size: 441 KB

Page 1

HISTORICAL POSITION OF JAINISM
Dr. J. S. JETLY, M.A., Ph.D.
Jainism as a sect is supposed to have its historical existence in the time of Mahāvīra, the twentyfourth Tirthankara of Jainas. Some scholars take it as far back as Pārsvanátha, the twentythird Tirthankara, who is generally placed in the 8th Century B.C.
In the history of Indian culture Jainas and Buddhists are known as śramanas. A story of antagonism between Sramaņas and Brāhmaṇas appears to have become a part of the old tradition. The compound TAUब्राह्मणम् according to Panini's rulel येषां च विरोधः शाश्वतिकः is a clear indication of the same.
This item of our tradition requires some close consideration. For this purpose it would be interesting to note the rise of Sramana sect in their early relation to Brāhmaṇical schools as well as historical developments of their churches. I shall of course limit myself to Jainas though the general problem of the rise of śramaņas pertains to all the śramaņa sects.
The Sūtrakstānga' of Jainas and Brahmajāla-Sutta of Buddhists refer to a great number of sects other than their own. Some of these may be Vedic while the others are non-vedic and śramaņa. Of these sects the historicity of the three śramaņa sects, viz. those of Jainas, Buddhists and Ajivakas is generally accepted by the scholars.
There is, however, a controversy about the origin of these sramana sects. The older view is that these sramaņa sects were more or less so
* states that these four
25 Uttar. 18-23 and Nanods: viz.,
1. Patañjala Mahābhāşya, p. 539. 2. Sūt. refers to the creeds prevalent in the time of Mahāvira, the 24th Tirthan
kara of Jainas. They are (S) 1191, ( 21212, () tar and () fazar. The same Sūt. states that these four great creeds comprise 363 schools. Vide
Süt. I.xii.1; also cf. Sth. 4.4.35, Bhag. 30.1.825, Uttar. 18-23 and Nandi 47. 3. BJS. in DN enumerates 62 schools under the chief eight heads : viz.,
() HAVAITT, () qatna, () arafah, () aFÈT, (4) H ai, (a) saralla, (9) S TANICE, (c) fafagurfcanza DN 1.12.39, also cf. Syt. 1-2. It enumerates () 1991, (R) 9719917, () faglaarz, () 1917, (4), 791, (६) पुरुषवाद and (७) ईश्वरवाद. It should be noted that according to the works referred to of Jaina canons all the five Vadas excepting यदृच्छाबाद and भूतवाद come under the head of a whilst except 7917 all the six come under the head of ar also. For the detailed study vide SSJL by A. C. Sen.