New Religious Trends

 New Religious Trends

Towards the end of the Vedic period, the priestly class had become dominant due to the greater emphasis on rituals in yajnas. This led to the growth of superstition. Thinkers like Kapil and Charvak made efforts to reduce superstition.

At about the same time, the varna system had given rise to social discrimination. This discrimination was based on an individual's caste and not on his capability. Some castes came to be considered as superior and some, inferior. In such conditions, Vardhaman Mahavir and Gautama Buddha guided the society towards the right path. For the common people, their teachings were easy to understand and practise in day- to-day life.

Vardhaman Mahavir

According the Jain tradition, a person who reveals principles of religion is known as the Tirthankar. Vardhaman Mahavir was the twenty-fourth Tirthankar. He was born at Kundagram in Bihar. Leaving all comforts behind, he travelled to different parts of India in search of underwent twelve years of rigorous tapa, and attained enlightenment. He had conquered all bodily desires. Hence people called him "Jin'. He spent the rest of his life in preaching religion. He used Ardhamagadhi, the people's language, in order that the knowledge. He common people could understand his teachings.

Vardhaman Mahavir

Pancha Mahavratas (The Five Great Vows)

(1) Ahimsa (non-violence):

No living being should be harmed.

(2) Satya (truth)

Truth should be observed in speech, mind and behaviour.

(3) Asteya

One should not take what does not belong to him.

(4) Aparigraha

One shoùld not hoard or accumulate wealth in any form.

(5) Brahmacharya

One should lead a chaste life.

1.Tri-ratna (The Three Jewels)

Knowledge of Mahavir's teachings and Jain philosophy.

2. Samyak Jnyan (Right Knowledge)

Knowledge Mahavir's teachings and Jain philosophy.

3. Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct)

Following the five great precepts.

Mahavir did not accept any caste discrimination. He convinced the people that the greatness of an individual does not depend on his caste, but on the excellence of his character. He declared that women, too, had the right to undertake tapa, obtain knowledge and renounce the world. His teachings were : "Love all living things', 'Have mercy and compassion', and "Live and let live'.

Gautama Buddha

Siddharth was the birth name of Gautama Buddha. He was born at Lumbini in Nepal. The origin of sorrow or suffering in human life was a thought that made him restless. He left his home and family in pursuit of the solution to this problem. He attained enlightenment or divine knowledge while he was seated in deep meditation under a peepul tree at Gaya in Bihar. The tree under which Buddha attained the divine knowledge came to be known as Bodhi- vriksha or the "Tree of Enlightenment'. Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi after attaining divine knowledge. It is called dhamma-chakka-pavattan (dharma-chakra-pravartan). He preached the fundamental principles of Buddhism in this sermon. 

Gautama Buddha provided answers to questions like "What is the nature of human life ?" and 'Why does man have to undergo suffering ?" in the form of four noble truths.

Gautama Buddha

Aryasatyas (Noble Truths)

At the root of all human affairs, there are the following four noble truths.

(1) Dukkha (Suffering) : 

Human life is full of suffering. 

(2) Trisha (Desire) : 

The cause of suffering is desire or craving. 

(3) Dukkha-nirodh :

 It is possible to end suffering. 

(4) Pratipad : 

The way leading to the end of suffering.

The way shown by Gautama Buddha to end suffering is known as the Ashtang Marg or the Eightfold Path. The eight principles are right view, right thought/concept, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right memory and right concentration.

Panchasheel : 

These are the rules of conduct that are to be followed along with the Eightfold Path.

 (1) Ahimsa (Non-violence):

 No living being should be hurt. 

(2) Satya (Truth) :

 One should not tel lies.

 (3) Asteya : 

One should not steal. 

(4) Indriya Samyam : 

One should win control over bodily desires, and

 (5) One should not take intoxicants.

Bauddha Sangha:

Gautama Buddha organised his followers in the Bauddha Sangha in order to take his doctrine to the people. Followers who entered the Sangha were called Bhikkhus. They had to follow strict rules of conduct. People belonging to all castes were allowed into the Sangha. Buddha also allowed women to enter the Sangha. Gautama Buddha used Pali, the people's language, in order that all the people could understand and follow his teachings.

Buddha's message, 'Bahujan-hitaya, Bahujan-sukhaya': "For the welfare and happiness of all' has made a deep impact on the world.

Vardhaman Mahavir and Garama Buddha went from village to village to propagate their teachings. Their message was 'Humanism is supreme' and All human beings are equal'. They took their message to the common people. They showed the people the way that would release them from the yoke of rituals. The principles given by these two great souls have taken deep root in Indian culture.