Why did Buddhism become a world religion while Jainism did not?
Jainism and Buddhism became influential in India at around the same time, and they sharesome of the same basic principles. How and why did Buddhism spread so widely while Jainism didn't?
First, we need to understand that Buddhism is not a different religion from Jainism. These both are off-shoots of Shraman Theology. So in true sense of terms, they are both one religion. Two peaks of the same theology.
Buddhism spread its wings world wide, because in this branch of Shraman Theology a unique concept of Bodhicitta emerged. Its the process of attaining enlightenment, not for once own emancipation, but for the sake of other sentient beings. This is a beautiful thought, the greatest height of a compassionate heart, and it gave wings and a missionary zeal to Buddhism which took it far & wide.
However, in truce sense of Shraman Theology, the concept of Bodhicitta is an aberration.
This is because, central Shraman belief is that each being is a creator of his or her own destiny and is responsible for his or her own actions. Each one of us enjoys "free will" and are at liberty to do what so ever we want, and both enjoy and suffer its after effects. And thus, each one of us, has to take care of oneself on our own. There is no spoon feeding in this theology. There are no god-fathers. There is no need of it.
Jain branch of Shraman theology remained more close to it's roots. They did not bother to preach their philosophy to anyone, because for the seekers of this branch of theology, their own emancipation was primary. If they take care of their own actions, the good of the rest of the world will automatically happen as they would stop all actions that caused suffering for others.
In Shraman Theology, there is a beautiful concept called "Pragya". It means inspiring others by changing oneself. It's one of the characteristics of a person who has achieved "Samyag Darshan - The Right Vision".
Jain philosophy remained more close to this and similar other traits of Shraman religion. Thus the concept of helping others never emerged in it. Their concept of helping others was to stop creating troubles for them. Thus, the entire focus of this philosophy and its seekers always remained - inwards. Towards themselves. And thus no missionary work was ever carried.
Thus, this philosophy remained confined only to those few blessed soul's, who had a chance in coming in contact with the seers of this branch of Shraman Theology and thus get inspired and start mending their own actions and paving the way for their own liberation. Since theses seers were limited, and the people who got in their contact small, Jains remained confined only to limited parts of India. However, they still carry the torch of Shraman Theology in true letter and spirit.
Buddhism spread its wings world wide, because in this branch of Shraman Theology a unique concept of Bodhicitta emerged. Its the process of attaining enlightenment, not for once own emancipation, but for the sake of other sentient beings. This is a beautiful thought, the greatest height of a compassionate heart, and it gave wings and a missionary zeal to Buddhism which took it far & wide.
However, in truce sense of Shraman Theology, the concept of Bodhicitta is an aberration.
This is because, central Shraman belief is that each being is a creator of his or her own destiny and is responsible for his or her own actions. Each one of us enjoys "free will" and are at liberty to do what so ever we want, and both enjoy and suffer its after effects. And thus, each one of us, has to take care of oneself on our own. There is no spoon feeding in this theology. There are no god-fathers. There is no need of it.
Jain branch of Shraman theology remained more close to it's roots. They did not bother to preach their philosophy to anyone, because for the seekers of this branch of theology, their own emancipation was primary. If they take care of their own actions, the good of the rest of the world will automatically happen as they would stop all actions that caused suffering for others.
In Shraman Theology, there is a beautiful concept called "Pragya". It means inspiring others by changing oneself. It's one of the characteristics of a person who has achieved "Samyag Darshan - The Right Vision".
Jain philosophy remained more close to this and similar other traits of Shraman religion. Thus the concept of helping others never emerged in it. Their concept of helping others was to stop creating troubles for them. Thus, the entire focus of this philosophy and its seekers always remained - inwards. Towards themselves. And thus no missionary work was ever carried.
Thus, this philosophy remained confined only to those few blessed soul's, who had a chance in coming in contact with the seers of this branch of Shraman Theology and thus get inspired and start mending their own actions and paving the way for their own liberation. Since theses seers were limited, and the people who got in their contact small, Jains remained confined only to limited parts of India. However, they still carry the torch of Shraman Theology in true letter and spirit.
Anonymous
1k Views
One answer i got from my grandmother was that Jains considered it a taboo to travel by water since it harmed organisms more compared to barefoot land travel.As Buddhists did not hold such a view and so were able to spread the religion to Sri Lanka, South-East Asia, China etc.
Also Jainism never really got politicised, and even when it was picked up by rulers (Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya), they immediately became ascetics and not rulers.
Also Jainism never really got politicised, and even when it was picked up by rulers (Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya), they immediately became ascetics and not rulers.
Veetrag Lodha, Eager learner, EasyPadhai.com , terrible writer, dreamer, wanna know everything!
1.8k Views
Strongly agree with the answer added by anonymous, stating , spreading was restricted to a lot of extent because of Travelling limitations.
Also another important fact is , Buddhism allowed consumption of Non-Vegetarian Food products where as Jainism strictly was limited to Vegetarianism. Food preferences played huge role in its acceptance by ordinary citizens,
Also another important fact is , Buddhism allowed consumption of Non-Vegetarian Food products where as Jainism strictly was limited to Vegetarianism. Food preferences played huge role in its acceptance by ordinary citizens,
Although Jainism is a philosophy, it is not easy to follow for a lot of people. Buddhist monks relaxed the teachings of Buddha and travelled far in South East Asia, which is why it is so widespread today. Many westerners today are attracted to the meditation aspect of Buddhism and hence it is spreading even more. Jainism is minority in India and there is sizable population of Jains in the US and the UK! I see more and more vegetarians and vegans getting attracted to Ahimsa, the principle tenet of Jainism!1
Buddhism is a path of Non-violence and an ascetic hood but there is no place for laity in buddhism except that the principles of life and values can be practiced.Buddha simply means an enlightened soul and an enlightened soul do not live in this material world but in a spiritual world so real buddhism is away from the tag borne by the laity except that they practice simple tenets to harmless living
Similarly Jainism is a path for becoming a siddha their tenets are articulated for renunciation as in the case of buddhism they are well laid in the principles of Yoga in yoga sastras.The laity cannot practice the tenets of truth,non-stealing,detach
Similarly Jainism is a path for becoming a siddha their tenets are articulated for renunciation as in the case of buddhism they are well laid in the principles of Yoga in yoga sastras.The laity cannot practice the tenets of truth,non-stealing,detach
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