Teachers of Heterodox Sects Buddhism and Jainism in eyes of Puranas

Author(s): N P Joshi
Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf

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TEACHERS OF THE HETERODOX SECTS - BUDDHISM AND JAINISM - IN THE
EYES OF THE PURĀŅAS (VIŞŅU, ŠIVA, AND BẠHASPATI)
N. P. Joshi
The Purāņas are orthodox by nature and were written with the view on expanding the basic concepts of the Śrutis (Vedas) and the Smrtis*. At the same time, their encyclopaedic aspect is equally important. Though traditionally attributed to Vyāsa, their authorship is collective, done by different persons flourishing in different regions and periods. That is why none of the 18 Purānas, as are found at present, can safely be dated to one particular age. Every Purāna is likely to contain some ancient material traditionally handed over to its authors, which they presented either in toto or in some new form with fresh additions or deletions. Therefore, it is safer to ascertain dates of particular portions in the Purānas when using them.
Since Jainism and Buddhism did not conform to the orthodox views of the Puranas, they were regarded as heterodox sects, which questioned the very authority of the Śrutis and the Smitis and also of the Varnāśrama-dharma, the very basis of the orthodox society. Naturally, the founders and the doctrines of these two sects, which were a part and parcel of the ancient Indian society, went against the basic views and ideas of the Purāņas; however, it was not possible to ignore thein altogether. It is, therefore, interesting to see how the Purāṇas managed to swallow this hard pill without causing any damage to their orthodox set up.
The Purānas in general mention the two faiths Buddhism and Jainism, as pākhanda, vidharma, buddhi-sammoha, mayāmaya-śāstra, năsti-vādārtha-śāstra, moha-śāstra, etc. Similarly, the heterodox teachers have been named as vidharmīns, māyāmoha-svarūpas, and so on. Available Puranic data show that the number of the Puranas taking the Buddha as an incarnation of Vişnu is larger than of those? referring to Rsabha in the same cadre. Curiously enough, against this fact, references therein to the spread of Jainism are more in number than those relating to the Buddhism. At times both the faiths have been confused with each other.
The Puranas hold that the two faiths were absolutely misleading and those who followed them lost celestial favours, accrued sins, and ultimately met a tragic end. This view has been skilfully argued proving beneficial to the orthodox set up in different ways through different episodes. They can be summed up as follows:
1. Daityas and Asuras, permanent opponents of Indra, often embraced the heterodox
faiths and lost power.