Jainism In South India

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text "Jainism in South India" by G. V. Raju, focusing on its key points:

Overview and Significance of Jainism:

• The text argues that while Jainism might seem like a minor religion in South India, its influence and contribution to Indian culture, commerce, and industry are disproportionately significant compared to its population.
• Jainism boasts a rich and ancient history, with claims of antiquity mentioned in Vishnu and Bhagavata Puranas. It is traditioned to have been led by Neminatha during the Mahabharata War and gained strength under Parsvanatha by the 8th century BCE.
• The emergence of Jainism is historically placed with Parsvanatha, and Mahavira's teachings in the 6th century BCE are discussed, noting potential influences from Ajivaka sect followers.
• Jainism, along with Buddhism and other Sramanic systems (like those of Purana Kassapa, Pakuda Kaccayana, Makkhali Gosala, Ajita Kesa Kambalin, and Sanjaya Belattiputta), challenged Vedic authority, welcomed all members, emphasized ethical principles, advocated detachment for liberation, and accepted renunciation.
• The text highlights the philosophical similarities and potential mutual influences between these early non-Brahmanic systems, including Jainism and Buddhism, noting the influence of Agnosticism on Mahavira's Syadvada.

Contributions of Jainism:

• Languages and Literature: Jainas significantly contributed to the development of languages by utilizing prevailing regional languages for their religious texts, thus fostering the growth of Prakrit and other languages. Their literature in Apabhramsa, a link between classical and modern Indian languages, is particularly noteworthy. Surprisingly, the earliest literature in Kannada and Tamil is also attributed to Jaina authorship.
• Ethics: Jaina ethics offers a distinct path to salvation, integrating faith (Right Faith), knowledge (Right Knowledge), and conduct (Right Conduct) – the "Ratnatraya." The doctrine of Ahimsa (non-violence) was extensively preached by Jainas and Buddhists, with a broader application to both saints and laypeople, unlike the classical Hindu tradition where it was primarily for ascetics.
• Philosophy: Jainism shares metaphysical similarities with Sankhya and Yoga, particularly in their dualistic acceptance of matter and soul. Souls are seen as intelligent substances, with differences arising from their interaction with matter. Jainas, like Sankhyas, view matter as inherently formless and capable of transforming. The core of Jaina philosophy revolves around the interaction of the living (jiva) and non-living (ajiva) entities, leading to karmic energies that cause birth and death. This process can be halted and existing energies exhausted through disciplined practice, leading to liberation. This is encapsulated in the seven propositions, or tattvas, starting with the existence of jiva and ajiva.
• Logic: Jaina philosophical literature is rich, with Umasvati's Tattvarthathigama Sutra expounding categories and pramana (means of proof). Siddhasena Divakara pioneered works on pramana and naya (methods of comprehension). Devasuri and Yaso Vijaya Gani were prominent logicians who contributed significantly to Jaina logical thought, often demonstrating a liberal attitude towards other religious beliefs.
• Narrative and Story Literature: Jainas played a crucial role in preserving Indian tales that might otherwise have been lost, compiling extensive collections of stories like Kathakosa, Kathankakosa, Kathamahodadhi, and Katharatnakara. They also wrote charitas (biographies of religious figures) and prabandhas (stories of monks and laymen), offering insights into social and cultural history. Popular recensions of the Pancatantra are also attributed to Jainas. They also produced works in dramatic style and contributed to lexicography and grammar, with Hemachandra's grammar being considered by some to be superior to Panini's.
• Arts and Architecture: Jainas contributed to Indian art by erecting stupas, stone railings, gateways, and statues in honor of their saints, similar to Buddhists. Notable examples include the Gomateswara statue, reliefs near Gwalior, Hathi Gumpha caves, and marble temples at Mount Abu, showcasing their architectural genius and decorative patterns.

Jainism in South India (Andhra and Karnataka):

• Early Spread and Influence: The South played a vital role in the spread of Jainism. During Chandragupta Maurya's time, Jainas migrated south due to famine. Jainism was reportedly prevalent in Andhra even during the time of the 12th Tirthankara, Vasupujya. A tradition mentions an Anga king and his sons establishing a city near modern Bhattiprolu. Asoka's grandson, Samprati, is said to have spread Svetambara Jainism in Kalinga.
• Andhra: Kharavela's rule in the 2nd century BCE saw Jainism spreading into Northern Andhra and Orissa, evidenced by rock caves. The Satavahana rulers were also influenced by Jainism. Vijayawada was a significant Jaina center during the Eastern Chalukyas, and inscriptions attest to their patronage. Ramatirtham and Penugonda were also Jaina religious sites. Munugodu and Bhogapuram had Jaina temples up to the 13th century.
• Decline in Andhra: The spread of Saivism and Vaishnavism in the 12th and 13th centuries led to clashes and the destruction of Jaina bastis (centers). Despite its long presence, only one book by an Andhra Jaina saint is known to have survived. While Saivism flourished under the Kakatiyas and Vaishnavism under the Vijayanagara kings, this led to the decline of Jainism, though pilgrimage sites like Kollipaka and Penugonda still exist. Archaeological and epigraphic sources in Andhra are rich for studying Jaina history. Many villages and wells bear Jaina names, indicating past prevalence.
• Karnataka: Jainism was a dominant religion in Karnataka even before the Chalukyas. Later Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings patronized the religion, with kingdoms like Vatapi and areas like Rayalasema and Telangana being influenced. Bodhan was a Rashtrakuta capital and a significant Jaina pilgrimage site. Tradition credits Simhanandi Acharya with blessing the founders of the Ganga dynasty. Excavations at Danavulapadu confirm the spread of Jainism in that region.

Relevance of Jainism Today:

• Studying Jainism is essential for understanding Indian philosophy and culture comprehensively, as it bridges Brahmanism and Buddhism.
• Its ancient roots and connection to early philosophical speculations (Sankhya, Yoga, Buddhism) are of interest.
• Jainism's approach to truth, emphasizing many facets and individual effort, leads to a humanistic perspective that can counter 20th-century absolutism and dogmatism.
• The Jaina concept of understanding different systems (Svadravya, Svakshetra, Svakala, Svabhava vs. paradravya, etc.) promotes tolerance and reduces global tensions. The text concludes by quoting Ratnasekhara on the realization of the soul's sameness, transcending sectarian differences.