ICSE History Chapter- India in the 6th Century BC

1. 1

2. 
1. Reaction against Ritualism:
 Ordinary people couldn’t afford expensive religious
rituals and ceremonies.
 Priests didn’t realise the sufferings of the common
man.
 This was one of the reasons for the rise of Jainism
and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
2

3. 
2. Corruption in Religion:
 Corruption crept into religious practices.
 In order to get money from ordinary people, priests
encouraged common people to perform Yajnas.
 Kshatriya rulers tried to protest against such
practices but common people couldn’t do much
about it.
 This was one of the reasons for the rise of Jainism
and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
3

4. 
3. Rigid Caste System:
 The society was divided into Brahmans, Kshatriyas,
Vaishyas and Shudras. This caste system had become
rigid.
 No mobility was allowed i.e. one couldn’t change his
caste. Interchange of caste was impossible.
 There were many restrictions on the basis of caste on
food, drinks, marriage etc.
 This was one of the reasons for the rise of Jainism
and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
4

5. 
4. Difficult Language:
 Sanskrit was considered as a sacred language.
 Most of the Vedic literature was composed in
Sanskrit.
 Priests used this language during discourses and
while chanting mantras however common people
found it difficult to understand it.
 So many people started looking for an alternative
religion and this was one of the reasons for the rise
of Jainism and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
5

6. 
5. Political Situation:
 In the sixth century many rulers were liberal and
tolerant.
 Even they protested against the social evils in their
kingdoms.
 when the opportunity came, they supported both
Jainism and Buddhism.
 This was one of the reasons for the rise of Jainism
and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
6

7. 
6. Agricultural Economy:
 A few existing religions expected farmers to kill
animals to perform sacrifices which were against
their interest.
 Iron made animal-drawn ploughing popular.
 Such farmers needed a religion that would give
protection to animals.
 This was one of the reasons for the rise of Jainism
and Buddhism.
Causes for the rise of
Jainism and Buddhism
7

8. Causes for
the rise of
Jainism and
Buddhism
Reaction
against
Ritualism
Corruption
in Religion
Rigid Caste
System
Difficult
Language
Political
Situation
Agricultural
Economy
8

9. Jainism
• The doctrines of Jainism were
preached by saints or
acharyas called ‘tirthankaras.’
 1st Tirthankar- Rishabhadev
 23rd Tirthankar- Parshvanath
 24th/Last Tirthankar-
Mahavira.
• Mahavira is considered as
founder of Jainism.
Vardhamana Mahavira
9

10. 
Ahimsa: Non-Violence
Asateya: Not stealing
Satya: Not telling a lie
Aparigraha: Not possessing property
Brahmacharya: Practicing chastity
Five Vows
10

11. 1. Jiva (living things)
2. Ajiva (non-living things)
3. Punya (results of good deeds)
4. Pap (sin)
5. Ashrav (good deeds)
6. Sanvar (hindrances in the way of Karma)
7. Bandha (bondage)
8. Nirjara (destruction of Karmas)
9. Moksha (salvation)
Nine Truths
11

12. Doctrines
of
Jainism
Triratnas
Karma
Equality
Eternal
Soul
Salvation
Belief in
Penance
12

13. 1. Triratnas:
Mahavira preached that man’s ultimate goal is to
attain freedom from worldly bonds or to attain
moksha.
It can be obtained by following three jewels or
Triratnas:
a. Right Faith
b. Right Knowledge &
c. Right Conduct.
Doctrines of Jainism
13

14. 
2. Karma:
Jains believe that one should be
responsible for one’s own Karma or
actions.
They believe that only good deeds
alone liberate a man from the cycle of
Life and Death.
Doctrines of Jainism
14

15. 
3. Equality:
Mahavira laid stress on equality between
men and women.
He believed that all men are equal
irrespective of caste, creed, religion etc.
All living beings from tiny insects to the
highest form of life should be shown
compassion.
Doctrines of Jainism
15

16. 
4. Eternal Soul:
Mahavira believed in immortality
of the soul (atma).
He said that body dies but not the
soul.
Doctrines of Jainism
16

17. 
5. Salvation:
Freedom from the cycle of Birth and Death is
called as Salvation (Moksha).
For Salvation, it is necessary to practice
Triratnas:
a. Right Faith
b. Right Knowledge &
c. Right Conduct.
Doctrines of Jainism
17

18. 
6. Belief in Penance:
 Jains believed in Penance.
To die of starvation was considered a
virtue.
Jainism stresses on severe penance that very
few people could lead such an austere life.
This explains why Jainism had few
followers.
Doctrines of Jainism
18

19. 
1. Growth of Vernacular Languages
Major portion of Jain literature was written in
Prakrit.
Mahavira preached in ‘Ardha Magadhi’ in
order to make it easy for the people to
understand his teachings.
It also had an impact on Kannada literature
in the South.
19
Impact of Jainism

20. 2. Art & Architecture:
Jains erected stupas , rock-cut temples &
caves. (example: Ellora Caves,
Aurangabad).
Temples at Mt. Abu, Rajasthan are some
of the best examples of Jain architecture.
 Statue of Gommatesvara at Shravan
Belgola in Karnataka is another example
of their skill in sculpture. 20
Impact of Jainism

21. 3. Religion:
The Jains were the first to make Ahimsa a
rule of life.
Feelings of brotherhood and peace
prevailed.
Crime rate also gradually decreased.
Gandhiji gave back to Indians the pride in
their own culture. He stressed on Satya and
Ahimsa in all our actions. 21
Impact of Jainism

22. 
4. Social Impact & Welfare of Mankind:
The teachings of Mahavira led his
followers to pay more attention to
humanitarian services.
They opened schools and colleges.
They built inns for the benefits of
travellers.
22
Impact of Jainism

23. Buddhism
• Gautam Buddha was the
founder of Buddhism.
• Buddhism is a midway
between Hinduism and
Jainism.
• It had more followers abroad
than in India.
• Buddhism is one of the
imprints that India has left on
other civilizations.
Gautama Buddha
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24. 24
Four Great Sights- The Great Renunciation of Gautama Buddha.
An Old Man
A Sick ManA Dead Man
An Ascetic

25. 25
1
• Gautama Buddha was born at Lumbini near Kapilvastu, in Nepal. His
childhood name was Siddharth. His father was a ruler of Kapilvastu. But
all the royal luxuries had no effect on Gautama. He was inclined towards
spiritualism since childhood.
2
• After the Great Renunciation, Gautama left his wife (Yashodhara) & son
(Rahul) at home and started wandering from place to place in the search of
Truth.
3
• At Bodh Gaya in Bihar, he practiced severe penance and led life of extreme
austerity.
4
• Finally, at the age of 35, Gautama attained enlightenment and then
onwards he was called as Buddha i.e. the Enlightened One.

26. Doctrines
of
Buddhism
Four Noble
Truths
Eightfold
Path
Karma
Nirvana
Universal
Brotherhood
No faith in
Rituals and
Sacrifices
Ahimsa
26

27. 1. Four Noble Truths
The essence of Buddhism lies in Four Noble
Truths:
1. The world is full of Suffering.
2. The Suffering has a Cause.
3. Desire is the cause of Suffering.
4. If Desire is stopped, Suffering can also be
stopped.
27
Doctrines of Buddhism

28. 2. Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marg):
 The way that leads to removal of suffering is known as Eightfold
Path. It is a path midway between luxurious living and hard
penance. It includes:
1. Right action
2. Right thoughts
3. Right belief
4. Right living
5. Right speech
6. Right effort
7. Right recollection
8. Right meditation. 28
Doctrines of Buddhism

29. 
3. Karma
Like Hinduism, Buddhism believed in the theory
of Karma.
Buddhism said that man is the maker of his
destiny and it believed in rebirth. The evil deeds
will be punished.
Therefore, man should follow a middle path. It is
Karma which decides the type of man’s existence
in the next life. This is called as wheel of
Existence. 29
Doctrines of Buddhism

30. 
4. Nirvana:
The ultimate goal of life is to attain Nirvana
or salvation, eternal peace and bliss.
It is a peaceful state of mind, which conquers
all diseases & makes the person free from the
chain of births and deaths.
30
Doctrines of Buddhism

31. 
5. Universal Brotherhood:
Lord Buddha preached universal
brotherhood of mankind.
He wanted all people to keep their
differences away and live in peace.
He invited people of all classes to join
Buddhism.
31
Doctrines of Buddhism

32. 
6. No Faith in Rituals and Sacrifices:
Buddha said that yajnas can’t change a
man’s destiny.
He believed that Sacrifices and Rituals
are empty ceremonies.
32
Doctrines of Buddhism

33. 
7. Ahimsa:
Buddha followed the path of Non-
violence (Ahimsa) and also asked
his followers to follow this path.
33
Doctrines of Buddhism

34. 
1. Impact on Religious Life:
 Buddhism challenged Hinduism.
The costly rituals, rigid caste system and
sacrifices gradually decreased.
2. Impact on Political Life:
Buddhism touched the hearts of kings like
Ashoka and Chandragupta.
They stopped bloodshed and war. 34
Impact of Buddhism

35. 3. Impact on Social Life:
 Buddhism exposed the weakness of the society.
 People belonging to the weaker section of the society got an
opportunity to speak about their problems.
 Feeling of brotherhood increased. Crime rate also
decreased.
 The principle of Ahimsa, brought peace in the region. The
same principle was used by Gandhiji later to fight against
British.
4. Impact on Cultural Life:
 Buddhism spread in South-East Asia, China and Sri Lanka.
 A close cultural contact between these countries and India
was established. 35
Impact of Buddhism

36. 
5. Impact on Language and Literature:
 Buddhism made valuable contribution in the field of
Language and Literature.
 A vast literature was produced in Pali language.
 Several other works were also written in Sanskrit.
6. Impact on Art & Architecture:
 Buddhism made immense contribution in the field of
Art & Architecture.
 Stupas, Chaityas, Viharas and Rock-cut temples were
their unique contributions.
36
Impact of Buddhism

37. 37
Buddhism Jainism
It’s completely a new religion in
6th Century BC founded by
Gautama Buddha.
It’s a very old religion which
was founded long before
Mahavira.
It followed a middle path. It believed in hard penance.
It is silent about existence of
God.
It denies existence of God.
It is spread far and wide
beyond the Indian shores.
It is not spread beyond the
Indian shores.
Dissimilarities between
Buddhism & Jainism