Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Essence of Jainism
Brabmana tradition so very much that even for the Brahmana dharma, justifying violence in sacrifices became a matter only of discussion of old Scriptures. la actual practice, violence almost disappeared from sacrifices. Sāmkhya, Yoga Upanişada, Avadbūta, Sāttvata and similar conventions, the very life-force of Brahmanism, did not go against the supreme authority of the Vedas, and the status of Purohita or Guru given to the biabmin class. in due course of time, these traditions got themselves merged in one form or another in the all-pervasive sphere of Brahmaqa dharma As against this, the Jaipa, Bauddha and similar traditions remained firm in their opposition against the supreme authority of the Vedas and the highest status of brahmins as a class. They retai. ned their independence. Still however, these traditions and their Nivịtti-dharma were influenced, one way or the other, by the allpervading tendencies of the Brāhmaṇa traditions.
Promulgators of the śramana Tradition
Authentic and complete history of the original promulgators of the śramaņa tradition, their time and place etc., are so far not known to us. But we can certainly state, on the evidence of the literature available to us, that Nābhiputra Rşabha and the ancient scholar Kapila were the oldest and powerful supporters of Śramaņa dharma. That is the reason why their names are not forgotten in the ancient tradition even though complete history remains still in the dark. Rşabha is mentioned as an austere and tough Yogi in the brahmanic Purāṇas, but his real status and fame is found only in the Jain tradition. In a similar way, Kapila is mentioned as a Rsi in the Jain literature, but his full status and fame is found in the Samkhya tradition and the old works based on it. Rşabha and Kapila emphasised the greatness of the spirit of equality of all Ātmas and the conduct based on non-violence bord thereof. There were several branches and sub-branches that nourished this spirit and conduct. Some of these emphasised the need of austerity, some of meditation, while some placed emphasis only on purity of consciousness and detachment. But the fundamental
aim of all these was equality. There was one cult that laid