Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Historical Development of Jaina Sadhanā : 3
systems of Hindū philosophy. The concepts of Tapas or austerity, asceticism, liberation, meditation, equanimity and nonviolence, which were earlier absent in Vedas, came into existence in Hinduism through śramanic influence. The Upanişads and the Gitā evolved some new spiritualistic definitions of Vedic rituals. Both are the representatives of the dialogue which had taken place in Sramanic and Vedic traditions. The Upanişadic trend of Hinduism is not a pure form of Vedic religion. It incorporated in itself the various Sramanic tenets and gave a new dimension to Vedic religion. Thus, we can say that Hinduism is an intermingled state of Vedic and Sramanic traditions. The voice which was raised by our ancient Upanişadic Rșis and Munis as well as Sramaņas against ritualistic emphasis of Vedic tradition and worldly outlook of caste-ridden Brahminism, became stronger in Jainism, Buddhism along with the other minor Sramaņic sects. Thus the Upanişadic trend as well as Jainism and Buddhism provided a resort to those, fed up with Vedic ritualism and worldly outlook towards life.
Not only Jainism and Buddhism but some other sects and schools of Indian thought such as Ajivikas and Sānkhyas also adopted more or less the same view towards Vedic ritualism. However, Jainism and Buddhism were more candid and forthcoming in their opposition towards Vedic ritualism. They rejected outrightly animal-sacrifice in Yajñas, birth-based castesystem and the infallibility of the Vedas. In the form of Mahāvira and Buddha, the most prominent rationalist preachers, we found the real crusaders, whose tirade against caste-ridden and ritualistic Brahminism, touching ever low water mark and crumpling with its inner inadequacies, gave severe jolt to it. Jainism and Buddhism came forward to sweep away the long accumulated excrescences grown on Indian culture in the form of rituals, casteism and superstitions. But we shall be mistaken