Jainism is a philosophy-based ancient religion that provides all sentient creatures with the path to liberation, spiritual purity, and enlightenment via disciplined nonviolence. Mahavir and Gautam Buddha were contemporaries who established their respective religions based on their distinct belief systems. There were some The shortcomings of Jainism are numerous.This article will explain to you the Causes for the Decline which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Jainism - Causes for the Decline

• Jainism gained prominence in the sixth century B.C. as a result of Lord Mahavira's advocacy of the faith.
• Jainism is a Hindu religion that emphasises austerity, spiritual purity, and self-sufficiency.
• Its supporters are known as Jains, and they believe that the soul is eternal and that the cycle of rebirth may be ended through strict ethical and spiritual discipline.

Vardhamana Mahavira

• The following are some of the primary factors of the fall of Jainism in India.

Lack of Royal Patronage

• For starters, the early pace of royal backing of Jainism by Bimbisara, Ajatasatru, Udayin, and Kharavela was not maintained by successive kings and princes.
• Rather, Asoka, Kanishka, and Harsha's fervour and resolve to propagate Buddhism began to overwhelm Jainism.
• As a result, Jainism was relegated due to a lack of real and committed royal backing.

Severity of Jainism

• The harshness of Jainism backfired on it, causing its demise.
• Unlike Buddhism's "middle road," Jainism advocated for extreme penance, meditation, fasting, and restraint, among other things.
• All of them were too much to bear. People were disillusioned with it quickly.
• Jainism, which was previously loved, grew estranged from the people over time.

Unintelligible Philosophy

• The majority of Jaina philosophy was incomprehensible to the general public.
• People did not understand the notions of Jeeva, Ajeeva, Pudgala, Syadbada, and so on.
• Many people refused to believe that stone, water, tree, or earth possessed souls of their own.
• As a result, popular faith in Jainism gradually declined. This contributed to its demise.

Factionalism in Jainism

• Jainism's collapse was factionalism among Jainas following Mahavira's death.
• Some now supported literally following Mahavira's teachings, while others desired to soften Jainism's harshness.
• As a result, the schism caused a schism in the Jain ranks. They were now separated into two groups: 'Digamvara' and 'Swetamvara.'
• The former, led by Bhadrabahu, abandoned clothing, practised harsh penance for self-purification, and grew apathetic to worldly life.
• The 'Swetamvara' faction, commanded by Sthulabahu, dressed in white. The divide damaged Jainism, and as a result, its spread was limited.

Spread of Buddhism

• The emergence of Buddhism played a significant role in the demise of Jainism. Buddhism was quite simple.
• Buddha rejected harsh hardship and advocated for a "Middle Path." It is simple enough for a layperson to follow. As a result, it presented a challenge to Jainism.
• Furthermore, the collapse of Jainism was hastened by the advent of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism.
• People followed it since there was no such harshness.

Inadequate Efforts

• There was also a deterioration in the Jaina mendicants' missionary enthusiasm and earnestness.
• They were no more picky in their efforts to promote Jainism in villages and towns.
• The shopkeepers and businesspeople stayed committed to Jainism. But they didn't have time to work on spreading Jainism.

Role of Hindu Preachers

• Jainism faced challenges from Hinduism. Nimbarka, Ramanuja, Sankaracharya, and others arrived to strengthen Hinduism's basis.
• The rise of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism reduced Jainism to insignificance. As a result, the decline of Jainism became inescapable.
• Thus, Jainism, which had acquired traction, began to decline with the introduction of Buddhism.
• The Hindu preachers constantly obstructed the expansion of Jainism. As a result, it decreased.

Conclusion

Lord Mahavira's promotion of Jainism propelled it to popularity in the sixth century B.C. Jainism is a Hindu religion that places a premium on austerity, spiritual purity, and self-sufficiency. There were a few There are various flaws with Jainism. The rise of Buddhism was a major factor in the demise of Jainism. Buddhism was very simple.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following contributed significantly to the decline of Jainism in India?

A) The rise of Buddhism
B) The spread of Islam
C) The Bhakti movement
D) The British colonial rule

2. Which sectarian division weakened Jainism?

A) Theravada and Mahayana
B) Digambara and Svetambara
C) Shaiva and Vaishnava
D) Vajrayana and Zen

3. Under which dynasty did Jainism receive significant royal patronage?

A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Mughal
D) Chola

4. Which of the following was a reason for the decline of Jainism in South India?

A) The rise of Shaivism and Vaishnavism
B) The spread of Buddhism
C) The influence of Persian traders
D) The rise of Mughal rule

5. Which of the following Jain sects practices strict asceticism and does not wear clothes?

A) Svetambara
B) Digambara
C) Theravada
D) Vajrayana

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Discuss the various causes for the decline of Jainism in India.

Answer: The decline of Jainism in India can be attributed to several factors. One of the main causes was the rise of other religions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism, which attracted more followers and royal patronage. After the Gupta period, rulers increasingly favored Hinduism, and Jainism lost much of its political and financial support. This lack of patronage led to the closure of many Jain monasteries and institutions.

Additionally, the internal divisions within Jainism, especially the schism between the Digambara and Svetambara sects, weakened the religion by creating doctrinal conflicts and reducing unity. The rigid ethical codes and ascetic practices of Jainism made it difficult for the masses to follow, unlike the simpler and more accessible Bhakti and Tantric movements that gained popularity. Furthermore, the spread of Hinduism, which incorporated many of Jainism's teachings, further contributed to its decline, as people found no need to adhere to a separate religious identity.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the Bhakti movement on the decline of Jainism in India.

Answer: The Bhakti movement had a profound impact on the decline of Jainism in India. The Bhakti movement, which began in the medieval period, emphasized personal devotion to a single deity and provided a more accessible and emotionally fulfilling path to spirituality. This movement appealed to the masses, offering a simpler alternative to the rigid ascetic and ethical principles of Jainism.

As the Bhakti movement spread across India, it attracted royal patronage and popular support, overshadowing Jainism. The movement's emphasis on personal devotion rather than strict adherence to rituals and ascetic practices made it more attractive to common people, leading to a decline in the number of Jain followers. The spread of the Bhakti movement, along with the rise of Hinduism and Shaivism, further marginalized Jainism in the religious landscape of India.

Q3: Examine the role of internal divisions in the weakening and decline of Jainism.

Answer: Internal divisions played a significant role in the weakening and decline of Jainism. The most prominent division was between the Digambara and Svetambara sects, which created doctrinal differences within the religion. These two sects disagreed on various aspects of Jain philosophy, including the practices of asceticism, the nature of liberation, and the interpretation of religious texts.

The rivalry between these two sects weakened the overall unity of Jainism, diverting attention away from the religion’s propagation and expansion. The division also led to the fragmentation of the Jain community, making it more susceptible to the growing influence of other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. This lack of unity, combined with external pressures, contributed to the gradual decline of Jainism in India.

Previous Year Questions on the Decline of Jainism

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: Which of the following movements had the most significant impact on the decline of Jainism?

A) Tantric movement
B) Bhakti movement
C) Sufi movement
D) Sangam literature

Answer: B

Explanation: The Bhakti movement, which emphasized personal devotion and emotional worship, attracted a large following and reduced the appeal of Jainism, contributing to its decline.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "The internal divisions and lack of royal patronage were the main causes for the decline of Jainism in India." Discuss.

Answer: Internal divisions, especially between the Digambara and Svetambara sects, played a crucial role in the decline of Jainism. These divisions weakened the religion by creating doctrinal differences and reducing unity among its followers. Additionally, the lack of royal patronage after the Gupta period further contributed to the decline. With rulers favoring Hinduism, Jainism lost much of its political and financial support, leading to the closure of its monasteries and institutions. The rise of Hinduism, along with the growing influence of the Bhakti movement, further marginalized Jainism in India's religious landscape.