Jaina Religion Historical Journey of Evolution

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Jaina Religion: Its Historical journey of evolution
solidarity, vast literature and superb art and architecture. Here, we would attempt to see the Jaina tradition in the mirror of history.
Ancient Śramana or Ārhat tradition
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Broadly speaking, the religions of the world can be divided into two major branches: Semitic religions and Aryan religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam come in the Semitic category, while Parsi, Hindu (Vedic), Buddhist and Jaina religions come in the Aryan category. Then, there are religions of the Far East as those of Confucianism and Shintoism of China and Japan.
In the category of Aryan religions, Vedic or Hindu religion is considered to be predominantly pravṛtti (action) centered while Jaina and Buddhist religions are nivṛtti (renunciation) centered. This renunciation- centered tradition was known as Śramaṇa tradition or Arhat tradition. Both the Jaina and the Buddhist religions belong to the Śramana tradition. The main characteristic feature of Śramaņa 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 Summum Bonum or Mokṣa or Nirvana is achieved. This tradition of the path of renunciation with its focus on spiritual