With reference to Jainism and Buddhism, answer the following questions:

(a) Give briefly the background of socio-economic conditions in 6th century BCE.

(b) State any three causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism.

(c) What caused the division of Jainism into two sects?

(a) In 6th century BCE, with expansion of Aryan settlements to the east, there were rapid changes in the socio-economic conditions. Society at some places had traits of Tribal political organisation while at other places kingdoms were on the rise. Materialism and spiritualism both existed side by side. People started to lead a settled life due to surplus production, expanding trade and market. There were wars among tribes for territory expansion. The expansion of territory created large kingdoms called Janapadas. A number of Janapadas joined together to form bigger and powerful independent kingdoms called Mahajanapadas. During this period orthodox religious beliefs and practices were challenged and even rejected by the new sects like Jainism and Buddhism.

(b) The three causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism were:

1. Reaction against Ritualism — Religious ceremonies had become very expensive and were beyond the means of ordinary people. This gave rise to faiths that were simple and inexpensive.
2. Corruption in Religion — The Priests used to extract money from people on the name of yajnas, rites and rituals. Kshatriya rulers protested against such practices. Both Jainism and Buddhism were founded by Kshatriya princes.
3. Rigid Caste System — The caste system had become so rigid that it was not allowing any social mobility. Interchange of caste was impossible. Jainism and Buddhism gave a simple and liberal society to the people of that period.

(c) The division of Jainism into two sects was the result of differences between Bhadrabahu and Sthulabhadra. Bhadrabahu took Jainism to Karnataka and Sthulbhadra was based in Magadha. Their was clash of ideas between the two and subsequently the Jainism divided into Shvetambaras and Digambaras led by Sthulabhadra and Bhadrabahu respectively. Shvetambaras wore white clothes and covered their faces with small white cloth to avoid killing the tiniest of insects or germs that might enter the nose while breathing while Digambaras did not believe in covering their bodies. According to them, living without clothes signified detachment from worldly pleasures and it avoided killing of life forms.