Question

Jainism and Buddhism flourished in Sangam period. Give any two evidences for each.

Answer 1

1. In ancient Tamil literature, Jainism is referred to as Samanam. There is a Samanar Hill or Samanar Malai in Keelakuyilkudi village, 15 km away from Madurai. The images of Tirthankaras created by Jain monks are found on the hill. It is a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India.
2. There is a reference to Aravor Palli, a place of living for Jain monks, in Manimegalai.
3. Buddhism spread to Tamil Nadu much later than Jainism. Manimekalai, one of the epics of the post-Sangam age is Buddhist literature.
4. There is an elaborate description of Kanchipuram in the classical epic Manimegalai.