From the history of Jaina
religion up to Mahavira it appears that sects and sub-sets had not arisen
till that time. But later on we find that various schisms arose in Jaina
religion as a result of which Jainism was divided into several sects and
sub-sects. There were various reasons which contributed to the splitting
of Jainism in small sects and sub-sects.
Increase in the extent
of Jainism
In the first place it may
be mentioned that during the lifetime of Mahavira the spread of Jainism
was limited and it did not seem generally to have crossed the boundaries
of kingdoms of Anga and Magadha, comprising modern Bihar, Orissa and West
Bengal, where Mahavira mainly lived and concentrated his attention; but
after the death of Mahavira, his successors and followers succeeded to a
large extent in popularizing the religion throughout the length and
breadth of India, so that it did not fail to enlist for a long period the
support of kings as well as commoners. As the number of adherents to Jaina
religion fast increased and as they were scattered practically in all
parts of the country, the Ganadharas, that is, the religious leaders and
the religious pontiffs must have found it very difficult to look after and
organize their followers. Naturally, different conditions. customs,
manners and ways of life prevailing in different parts of the country in
different periods of time might have influenced in giving rise to various
religious practices which might have ultimately resulted in creating
factions among the followers of Jainism.
Interpretation of Jaina
Canons
Secondly, the religious
doctrines, principles and tenets of Jainism as they were enunciated and
taught by Mahavira were not committed to writing during the lifetime of
Mahavira or immediately after his death. The important fact was that the
religious teachings of Mahavira were memorized by his immediate successors
and they were thus handed down by one generation to another, till they
were canonized at the council of Pataliputra in the early part of the 3rd
century B.C. By this time much water had flown down the Ganges and what
was canonized was not acceptable to all, who vigorously maintained that
the canon did not contain the actual teachings of Mahavira.
Again. there was the
question of interpreting what had been canonized. As time passed on,
differences of opinion regarding the interpretation of many doctrines
arose and those who differed established a separate school of thought and
formed themselves into a sect or sub-sect.
Revolt against Jaina's
Religious Authorities
Thirdly, it may be
maintained that sects and sub-sects arise as a direct result of the
revolts against the actions and policy of ruling priests or religious
authorities including the heads of the Church. Those who are at the helm
of religious affairs are likely to swerve from their prescribed path and
debase themselves or they are likely to be too strict in maintaining and
preserving the religious practices in a manner they think proper, without
taking into account the needs of the changing conditions. In both the
cases natural indignation is bound to occur on the part of the elite and
there should not be any surprise if this accumulated indignation and
discontent took a turn in formulating and organizing a separate sect. For
example, Martin Luther revolted against the high-handed policy of Popes
and Priests in Christian religion and founded the section of Protestants
in that religion. Generally, the same thing happened in Jaina religion
also.
As a result of these
factors the Jaina religion which was one and undivided up to the time of
Tirthankara Mahavira and even up to the beginning of the Christian Era got
divided first into the two major sects, viz., Digambara and Svetambara,
and later on into many sub-sects in each sect. This has given rise to a
number of sections and sub-sections in Jainism and the process, in one
form or another, is still going on.
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Philosophy
