Discuss major causes for raise New Religious Movements in 6th century ?

 The primary cause for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism was the religious unrest in India in the 6th Century BCE. Several social, economic, religious factors were also responsible for the emergence of heterodox religions like Buddhism and Jainism,

  • In the Post-Vedic period the society was divided into four varnas viz, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. The Brahmanas who occupied the top most place in the society became the custodians of religion and learning. The Kshatriyas reacted very sharply against the ritualistic domination and the enviable social status enjoyed by the Brahmanas. Gautama, the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and Vardhamana Mahavira, the promoter of Jainism were Kshatriyas. Both of them questioned the authority of the Brahmanas.

  • In the Bramanical society, the Vaisyas were ranked third. During this period, due to the emergence of agrarian economy, expansion of trade and commerce, and finally the formation of guilds made the Vaisya community economically powerful. But, their economic status was not in tune with their social status. Under these circumstances the Vaisyas naturally looked for some religion which should improve their social status

  • Vedic philosophy had lost its original purity and it was reduced to a bundle of cumbrous rituals. The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the later Vedic period were not acceptable to the people. The superstitious beliefs and mantras confused the people. The rites and rituals were painfully elaborate and awfully expensive. The common man developed a great dislike for these rituals.

  • · The caste system had become rigid and brutal. There were strict restrictions on food, drink and marriage. Women neither enjoyed social mobility nor religious freedom. Both Buddhism and Jainism offered them an honoured place. 

  • All the religious treatises of the Vedic religion were composed in Sanskrit, the language of the privileged. The teachings of the Buddha and Mahavira, was in Prakrit – the language of the common people.

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