The Sixth Century BC (BCE) is regarded as an important period in the history of ancient India. As a landmark period in the intellectual and spiritual development of India, historian Will Durant called it the "shower of stars". This period saw the rise of two new faiths – Jainism, which gained prominence under Mahavira, and Buddhism, founded by Gautama Buddha. The basic philosophy of both is ahimsa or non-violence.
1. Intellectual Awakening – Sources and Causes
Literary Sources
| Text | Religion |
|---|---|
| Angas | Jain texts |
| Tripitakas and Jatakas | Buddhist texts |
Causes for the Rise of New Faiths
- The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the later Vedic period.
- Expensive sacrificial ceremonies.
- Superstitious beliefs and practices that confused the common man.
- The Upanishads, taught as an alternative to sacrificial rites, were too philosophical for a layperson to understand.
- Slavery, caste system and gender discrimination also contributed to the new awakening.