Jaina Religion Historical Journey of Evolution

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Jaina Religion: Its Historical Journey of Evolution
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denotation of the term Arhat thus got restricted to Jaina tradition. Thus terms like ‘Arhat', ‘Vrātya' and 'Śramana' have denoted Jaina dharma from very early times. And for this reason Jaina dharma is called Arhat dharma, Śramaņa dharma, or Nivstti-mārga dharma. But we should keep in mind that terms like ‘Arhat, ‘Vrātya' and 'Śramana etc. have also denoted other streams of renunciation including the Jaina stream, while terms like 'Nirgrantha' and 'Tñātaputriya' have denoted Jaina ·śramaņas' (monks) only. Now we would like to discuss the origin, evolution and salient features of the Sramanic cult of renunciation of which Jaina cult is a part. The origin of the Śramaņa Stream
Human existence is bi-dimensional and filled with self-contradictions. By nature it is centered on two different and contradictory poles. It is neither body alone nor consciousness alone instead it is a unique combination of the two. Consequently it has to function on two different planes. At the bodily level, it functions on the basis of passions and desires and is controlled by mechanical laws. But at the conscious or rational level, it is governed by conscience where there is freedom of will. At the bodily level it is bound and dependent, but at the conscious level it is independent and free. In the