Spread of Jainism
After attaining Kevala Jnana, Mahavira did not just live in silence. Like the Buddha, he institutionalised his teachings and ensured their transmission through a well-organised Sangha (monastic order).
🧘♂️ The Sangha and Its Role in Expansion
- Mahavira founded a Sangha, which included:
- Monks (Shramanas) and Nuns (Shramanis)
- Lay followers (Shravakas and Shravikas)
- Notably, both men and women were admitted — a progressive step in ancient India.
- The dedicated lifestyle, preaching tours, and ethical conduct of these members created a respectable image in society and facilitated the spread of Jainism.
🗣️ Language as a Tool: The Power of Prakrit
- The use of Prakrit — especially Magadhi Prakrit — made the teachings accessible to common people, just like in Buddhism.
- Unlike Sanskrit, which was confined to Brahmanical elites, Prakrit was democratic — a people’s language.
📌 Language accessibility played a major role in dissemination, particularly in rural and merchant communities.
📉 Why It Didn’t Become a Mass Movement Like Buddhism?
Despite a strong Sangha and public language, Jainism did not become a mass movement. Why?
- Lack of sharp differentiation: Jainism did not aggressively break from Brahmanical religion. It:
- Recognised gods
- Did not condemn varna
- Thus, it lacked radical appeal
- Extremely strict discipline:
- Prohibition on agriculture and war
- Ascetic lifestyle, even for laity, was demanding
- Limited royal patronage compared to Buddhism
So, Jainism spread slowly, often relying on trader communities and isolated royal support, especially in non-Brahmanical regions.
📍 Expansion in South and West India
Now let’s look at where and how Jainism spread effectively.
🧭 Karnataka (South India)
🟢 Key Factor 1: Chandragupta Maurya
- After abdicating his throne, Chandragupta Maurya adopted Jainism.
- He migrated south to Shravanabelagola with the monk Bhadrabahu.
- He lived and died there as a Jaina ascetic, leaving behind a strong cultural legacy.
🟢 Key Factor 2: The Great Famine in Magadha
- Around 200 years after Mahavira’s death, a 12-year famine struck Magadha.
- Under Bhadrabahu’s leadership, one group of Jainas migrated south to Shravanabelagola.
- The group that stayed behind was led by Sthalabahu.
- This split in the community eventually led to two major sects:
- Digambaras (southern group) – stricter, nudity, male-only liberation
- Svetambaras (northern group) – less austere, clothing allowed
🏛️ Over time, basadis (Jaina monastic establishments) emerged in Karnataka, many of which received land grants from southern kings.
📝 Note: Epigraphic (inscription-based) evidence for Jainism in Karnataka starts appearing from the 3rd century CE, although its influence began earlier.
🧭 Kalinga (Modern Odisha)
- Jainism spread to Kalinga between 4th and 1st centuries BCE.
- This was largely due to the patronage of King Kharavela, a known follower of Jainism, who promoted Jain art, cave temples, and inscriptions (e.g., Hathigumpha inscription).
🧭 Tamil Nadu (Deep South)
- In 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, Jainism reached the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Patronage from royal dynasties like:
- Gangas
- Kadambas
- Chalukyas
- Rashtrakutas
- Jain monks became influential teachers and advisors in royal courts.
🧭 Malwa, Gujarat, Rajasthan (West-Central India)
- In later centuries, Jainism spread to these regions through:
- Trade networks
- Support from merchant communities
- Even today, these areas have a significant Jain population, primarily engaged in commerce.
📌 Jainism might not have spread fast, but wherever it spread, it took deep root — unlike Buddhism, which eventually faded away from the subcontinent.
⚠️ Why Jainism Had a Limited Spread?
Let’s now summarise the main factors that limited its expansion:
Factor | Explanation |
🧱 Strict lifestyle | Prohibited war and even agriculture — impractical for most |
🧘 High ascetic standards | Even householders expected to follow difficult vows |
🧬 Mild stance on Brahmanism | Didn’t oppose caste or God worship strongly |
🏰 Limited state support | Unlike Buddhism, it lacked major imperial patronage |
🕴 Merchant-centered | Slowly became confined to business communities |
🛕 Image Worship: A Later Development
- Early Jainism, like early Buddhism, was aniconic — they did not worship images.
- But later, Jainas began worshipping Mahavira and other Tirthankaras in idol form.
- This shift made Jainism closer to popular religious expressions and helped in sustaining its identity over centuries.