Religious Traditions: Shramanism, Jainism, and Buddhism – UPSC Notes

In the post-Vedic period, a significant change occurred in the nature of Religious practices in India. We see the emergence of new religious movements, such as Jainism and Buddhism, which impacted society, the polity and the administration for centuries to come.

The Shramana Tradition

‘Shramana’ means striving and working hard by living a life of austerity in search of the ultimate truth. The Shramanas were people in the 1^st millennium BCE who had left their homes and wandered in the forests in search of the truth about life and the universe.

Many religious movements like Buddhism, Jainism, Lokayat, Ajivika etc., emerged from this movement. They emerged as a reaction to the Vedic religion, which was increasingly becoming ritualistic and corrupt.

Causes of its Emergence

• Varna System: Brahmanas claimed the highest status in the post-Vedic society. Kshatriyas reacted strongly against the Brahman domination, which created tensions.
• Cumbersome Religious Practices: Vedic religious practices, sacrifices and rituals became increasingly more elaborate and expensive for the people. Vardhman Mahavira and Gautam Buddha both belonged to the Kshatriya clan, and both disputed the authority of the Vedas.
• Expansion of agriculture: After the introduction of the Iron-tipped ploughshare, the use of bullocks became essential. The Vedic practice of Animal sacrifices thus stood in the way of the progress of new agriculture.
• Change in Economic Position of Vaishyas: Many new cities emerged, facilitating trade and commerce and adding to the Vaishyas’ importance. Moreover, they were attracted to the new religions which preached non-violence and peace. Further, the Dharmasutras (Law books) denounced money lending, again repelling Vaishyas from the Vedic religion.
• Reaction Against Emerging Material Culture: Old-fashioned people did not like the emerging culture of the accumulation of coins, new dwellings, new dresses, and new transport systems, which amounted to luxury, and created social inequalities. On the other hand, Buddhism and Jainism preferred simple, puritan ascetic living, which appealed to the masses.

Various Schools of Shramanism:

Common features of Shraman tradition:

• Nastika Philosophy: These are those schools of thought which did not believe in the authority of Vedas. In this context, they are known as Heterodox schools/Nastika schools of thought.
• Protest against Brahmanism: These movements emerged as a protest against Brahmanical ideas, as we have seen before.
• Less ritualistic: In the initial days, ritualism was not so profound in Jainism and Buddhism.
• Open to all: It did not require Brahmanas to perform elaborate rituals.
• The emergence of new Philosophical ideas: Such as prominence given to Materialism, the Doctrine of Niyati(Fatalism), Karma etc.

Jainism

Jainism comes from the word ‘Jina’, meaning the conqueror. It refers to a person who has conquered the self. It is the one who has been freed from all desires of life.

Origins of Jainism

• According to Jaina traditions, twenty-four Tirthankaras were responsible for the origin and development of the Jaina religion and philosophy, starting from Risabhadeva to Mahavira. The term Tirthankara means ‘founders of the faith’.
• Of these, the identity of the first twenty-two Tirthankaras is of doubtful historicity. However, Buddhist works confirm the historicity of Parsvanatha and Mahavira.