Question

With reference to Jain religious philosophy, answer the following question:

Explain the causes responsible for the decline of Jainism.

Answer 1

The following factors were responsible for the decline of Jainism:

1. Jainism preached rigid austerity. It rose at a time when Buddhism also existed. The theory of ahimsa was extended even to wearing clothes.
2. The religion did not spread to foreign countries. It did not have any missionary effort.
3. Jainism did not get royal patronage from contemporary rulers,
4.  Though Jainism advocated equality of men, it did not do away totally with the high and low position in society.
5. During the Gupta period and in later years. Hinduism once again became popular. Therefore, Jainism remained restricted . of a few pockets in the country.