Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Rsabha in Tamil works Prof. S. Thanya Kumar, Madras, India
Jainism in Tamil Country
Jainism the oldest religion of man is found to have existed throughout the pre-historical, proto-historical and historical times. This universal religion of Ahimsa was revealed for the first time by Lord Rsaba in the present cycle of time.
According to the Jaina tradition he was a hero of the lkshavaku family and the first Thirthankara. The life of the people of Indus valley civilization was associated with the Rsaba cult which must have been prevelant throughout the land from Himalayas down to Kanyakumari and further south in Lanka.
The Rsaba cult flourished in Tamil country as early as 3rd century B.C., The antiquity of Jainism in Tamil country is known by the literary and inscriptional evidences. Historians believe that Jainism spread to Lanka through Tamilnadu. Though the historians assign 3rd century B.C. as the earliest period, Jains believe that their religion in this part of the Peninsula is much older than the available evidences show. Valmigi in his Ramayana refers to Jain munis to whomRama paid obeisance on his way to South. Present day studies place Ramayana to 8th century B.C. So the theory that Jaina religion was introduced into the South by the migration of the Jaina Sangha under the Bhadrabahu I has to be reexamined.
However this migration gave additional vigour to the non-violent cult which was the prominent and predominant faith with the people of the South India especially Tamilnadu.
The advent of Jainism was followed by other faiths and unlike the Jainsa, others vied each other in eliminating one faith or the other. The tolerant Tamil society entertained all faiths and this led to demoralisation and loss of self confidence among Tamils. The Bhakthi movement gained prominence which led to the persecution of the
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