Religious Appeal in Ancient India

Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all emerged in India in this period. How did each one appeal to people? Did each one appeal to different groups of people? Why? How did their popularity develop through this period?

Many religions were starting in Eurasia during the ancient times. Many religions were emerging in India. Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all emerged in India during this time. Each one appealed to many people. Each also appealed to different groups of people.

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions whose roots go back to times before recorded history. Those who follow Jainism are known as Ajaina or the followers of Jinas, from whom the teachings of this religion have been derived. Jainism’s teachers of old whose wisdom and spiritual evolution are most revered are known as tirthankaras. Jain religion is unique in that, during its existence of over 5,000 years, it has never agreed on the concept of nonviolence.

It upholds nonviolence as the supreme religion and has insisted upon its observance in thought, word, and deed at the individual as well as social levels. Both in its philosophical essence as well as in its rituals, Jain religion invokes an intense and constant awareness of communication and understanding of not only all living beings but indeed all that exists.

The appeal is ahimsa, or reverence for life, the principle of nonviolence and no injury toward all living things. This principle has led to a belief in the equality of all souls and to the freedom to associate with anyone. Because of ahimsa, the social distinctions prevalent in the Hindu caste system never became firmly established in Jainism. Many people who wanted to leave the strict caste system of Hinduism followed this religion.

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was a prince born around 563 BC in India. He realized at the age of twenty-nine how empty his life had been and how much suffering there is in the world. Therefore giving up everything he owned, he started on his journey for the end of suffering. Meditating under the Bo tree one day, he reached the state of enlightenment. Finally reaching what he had been searching for all his life, he set out to teach and preach to others of what he had achieved.

His body of disciples is called the Sangha. Individual males of the Sangha, monks, are marked by their shaved heads and orange robes. There is also and order for the nuns of Buddhism. Buddhism, instead of being a problem to society, actually is very beneficial to it. Those who practice Buddhism do not think in violent terms. Buddhism helps to clear the mind and help people become more open minded. Buddhists cause no political problems. They accept other religions and are accepted by others. Many Hindus who wanted to leave the caste system became Buddhist. Also, some political rulers converted to Buddhism.