Jaina Religion Historical Journey of Evolution

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Chapter-3
Impact of Vedic Tradition on Jainism (A) The influence of Hindu Caste and Varna
system on Jainism
Basically, śramana tradition and Jaina tradition were opposed to the Hindu Varna system but with the passage of time and with the influence of larger Hindu society the concepts of varma and caste entered into this tradition. The origin of jāti and varņa systems and the description of their historical evolution are found for the first time in Acārārga-niryukti (around 3rd century AD). According to it, in the beginning, there was only one human society. Administrative systematization started by Rşabha led to its compartmentalization into two (i) the ruler (ii) the subjects; later with the development of art and commerce, these evolved into three: (i) Kșatriya (ruling class), (ii) Vaisya (the farmer and the business class), (iii) Sūdra (the menial class). Later, with the establishment of śrāvaka-dharma (the code of conduct for the householders), the people who were non-violent, virtuous and of good character were being called Brahmins. Thus the four varnas came into being one after the other; then, from these four varnas and the mixed marriages amongst them there emerged sixteen