In subsequent centuries Jainism spread from
east to west across India. From time to time it enjoyed the patronage of
kings and princes, under whose auspices it produced some of the most
magnificent temple architecture in the world. But with the rise of Hindu
devotional theism (BHAKTI) particularly to Shiva and Vishnu, in the Middle
Ages, it went into relative decline. It became concentrated in two
regions, where it remains to this day: Gujarat and Rajasthan where the
Svetambaras prevail, and the Deccan, or modern Mysore, where the
Digambaras have their headquarters. But, unlike Buddhism, Jainism
continued in the land of its birth. This was probably due largely to its
emphasis on the lay as well as on the monastic calling. In times of
persecution it had the re-sources of an influential and wealthy lay
following to fall back on.
One final aspect of Jain history remains to
be mentioned: the rise of the `dwellers in halls� (Sthanakavasi) branch
of the Svetambaras in AD 1653. Parallel with the Protestant Reformation
in Europe, and probably owing to Muslim influence, reformers arose to
condemn all forms of idolatry and temple worship as inconsistent with the
teachings of Mahavira. Fundamental doctrines, however, remained
unaffected by this further schism.
