Rajendrasuri Janma Sardh Shatabdi Granth

Author(s): Premsinh Rathod
Publisher: Rajendrasuri Jain Navyuvak Parishad Mohankheda

Page 625

JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
G. V. Raju. M. A. (Hons)
In South India, Jainism is little more than a name. Even serious students of religion in India paid little attention to it. In a population of nearly 60 crores of people, Jainas may constitute nearly some 3 million people. But the influence it wields, its contribution to the development of Indian culture, commerce and industry is out of proportion to their population. Jainological material is so rich and varied and so much extended in time it is impossible to write about it in few pages. Because of this limitation the paper will be simply a fringe study and a general survey.
In this brief paper an attempt is made to trace the rise of Jainism as religio-philosophical system, its contribution to Indian Philosophy, Religion, Metaphysics and Logic, Art and Architecture, languages and literatures, and also a brief summary of its history in Andhra Pradesh.
The Jainas claim hoary antiquity for their religion. Vishnu and Bhagavata Puranas also mention this fact. The tradition says that during the time of the Mahabharata War Jaina order was led by Neminatha, the 22nd Thirthankara and he belonged to Yadava family. The order gained strength during 8th century B. C., under Parsvanatha, the 23rd Thirthankara
In Parsvanatha we have the first historical beginnings of Jainism. Mahavira was born in the middlo of the 6th century B.C. It appears he was influenced to a great extent by Gosala and the followers of Ajivaka sect also. According to one tradition there were 5 heretical sects. They are :
1. Akriyavadins of Purana Kassapa, 2. Anuvadins of Pakuda Kaccayana, 3. Ajivakas of Makkhali Gosala, 4. The materialists of Ajita Kesa Kambalin, and 5. The sceptics of Sanjaya Belattiputta.
All these systems including Buddhism and Jainism were considered as Non-Brahmanic or Sramanic systems. The common feature of these systeins are : 1. They challenged the Vedas 2. Admitted all members to their community 3. Observed a set of ethical principles 4. Practiced a detached life to get liberation 5. Accepted renunciation.
These sects indicate there were two trends of thought, Brahmanic and Non-Brahmanic even from earlier times and these two trends influenced Indian Philosophy and Religion equally. 2. Agnosticism of Sangaya influenced Mahavira's
Syadvada. Agnanavada declares that of thing beyond our experience the existence or nonexistence or simultaneous existence and nonexistence can neither be affirmed nor desired. Prof. Oldenberg is of the view that even the Buddhist conception of Nirvana was influenced by agnosticism.
1. The Digambaras are found chiefly in South India,
North Western provinces, East Rajasthan and Punjab; The Svetambaras in Gujarat and western Rajasthan and a sprinkling of them all over India.
V.N.S. 2503
Jain Education Intemational