User:Shivu pritham

Religious Movement
The 6th century B.C. was important stage in Indian history as far as the development of new religions are concerned. Buddhism along with Jainism is considered as apart of the heterodox systems of Indian philosophy which was developed in this period. In this period a growing  opposition to the ritualistic orthdox ideas of Brahmins led to the emergence of this heterodox religious movement. The traditional religious order was being challenged by the new philosophical schools that were not in the line with the orthodox religious views.

Challenge to the Vedic tradition
Vedic tradition was based on the varna system which comprised of Brahmins, Kshtriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Each varna were assigned when defined functions the brahmins who were given higher privilege were given the function of priests and teachers. The Kshtriya ranked second in vedic system they were engaged in the collecting taxes from peasants. The Vaishyas were engaged in agriculture, cattle rearing and trade they were appeared as principal tax payers. At last Shudras were assigned to serve the upper three varnas and they treated as slaves/ servants for these three varnas. Naturally, the varna divided society seems to have generated tensions shatriyas who functioned as ruler reacted strongly against the ritualistic domination of the brahmins attacked the varna system, this protest led to the emergence to the new religion.

religion the importance of sacrifice anmd rituals were questions that eventually led a toll to the vedic tradition.similarly, commerce and cash became increasingly important in an economy previusly dominated by self-sufficient production and bartered exchange.

Mahavira and Buddha
the religious movements associated with persons like mahavira and the buddha in about the middle of the 1st millennium bc fall under this category.there were many other creeds during this time as well.the creeds preached by some of them contained elements that were not in keeping with the vedic tradition. They ignored the infallibility and supernatural origin of the Vedas. Unlike the vedic seers who were Brahmin sages, many of these new teachers were Kshatriya. Both Buddhism and Jainism were atheistic creeds in the beginning,. However, Buddhism endorsed the doctrine of the Law of Karma and upheld the belief in rebirths of the embodied skandhas and the inevitability of suffering in the very existnce of beings. Many of these view points are also found in the major Upanishads.

Buddhism and Jainism
Jainism and Buddhism emerged as the most potent religiuos reform movements. Post-vedic society was clearly divided into Brahmisn, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Each varna was assigned well defined functions. The Jainas believed that Vardhamana Mahavir had twenty three predecessors who were observe continence. Mahavira orgainzed an order of his followers in order to spread the teachings of Jainism. He preached his teachings in Prakrit. Gautama Buddha was a contemporary of Mahavira. He undertook long journeys and carried his message far and wide. He recommended an eight fold path of rht eh elimination of human misery. The rules and teachings of Buddha took full account off the new changes in the material life of the time and strengthened them ideologically. Buddhism created and developed a new awareness in the field of intellect and culture.

Hinduism
Hinduism was associated with perverted values. The emphasis on sacrifices, rituals and the dominance of Brahmins had vitiated the original doctrines of Hinduism. Society was largely guided by Brahminism which was firmly established by now and priesthood had also predominant. It was against this background of exploitation of the masses by the Brahmins and discrimination among people on the basis of caste system that Mahavira and Buddha revolted. They came forward as reformers very much determined to clean Hinduism of its innumerable evil practices and evils. They did not want to start new or independent religions, but drew their inspiration from the teachings embodied in the Upanishads. They provided a rational approach to handle the problems that had crept in the Indian society as a result of the prevailing complexities. They did not approve the costly religious rituals and bloody sacrifices. There was hatred against the prevailing social order which led to pitiable conditions of the low born.