An Anthropological Study of the Religion of the Jains
By Noel Rettig
Summary
Noel Rettig’s article presents an anthropological study of Jainism, arguing that it is the oldest living faith, predating and diverging from the mainstream Vedic tradition, which he characterizes as a non-entity. The author contends that Jainism uniquely fuses primitive animistic beliefs with profound philosophical systems, asserting that it is fundamentally scientific due to its dualistic view of spirit and matter. Rettig supports the great antiquity of Jainism, citing claims of its origin with Lord Rsabha, as well as the Yajur Veda and Rg Veda, and scholars like Drs. Zimmer and Jacobi. He traces the religion’s influence across various cultures and eras, noting its role in shaping the Brahmanical doctrine of ahimsa, its indirect contribution to Buddhism, and its potential parallels with early Christian sects like Marcionism and Manicheanism, as well as Catharism, which he links to F. W. Bussell’s work. The article also discusses Jainism’s impact on Greek philosophy, particularly the Cynics, referencing Dr. Farrand Sayre’s *The Greek Cynics*, and its connection to Alexander the Great, who encountered Jaina monks he called “Gymnosophists.” The core of the faith is summarized by the creed “Ahimsa paramo dharma,” which underpins a rigorous ascetic path involving rebirth, faith, and practice to achieve liberation. The universe is described through six aspects, including matter, space, time, and souls, with no creator god, though omniscient Tirthankaras are worshipped. The doctrine of syadvada emphasizes the relativity of viewpoints to reconcile disputes. Rettig further argues that Jainism represents a pre-Aryan, Dravidian tradition, a view supported by Dr. Zimmer, suggesting that ahimsa is more primitive than sacrifice, and that elements of Jainism may have fused with Vedism, possibly influencing the Upanisads and the Bhagavad-Gita. Finally, the article highlights Jainism’s animistic basis, quoting Dr. J. F. Kohl via Dr. Kamta Prasad Jain, and its rejection of the caste system, which was imposed by Aryans after their conquest around 1500 B.C., noting that figures like Candragupta adhered to this non-Vedic creed.
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Conclusion
This study establishes Jainism as a distinct, pre-Aryan tradition fundamentally divergent from Brahmanism, representing a unique fusion of primitive animism and profound philosophical dualism. Its core principle of *ahimsa*—reverence for all life—is identified as a foundational ethical contribution that influenced major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and even certain early Christian sects. The article highlights the religion’s sophisticated metaphysics, its doctrine of relative viewpoints (*syadvada*), and its rejection of a creator deity in favor of self-purification. By tracing its roots to Dravidian animism and contrasting its egalitarian ethos with the imported caste system, the research underscores Jainism’s antiquity and scientific character. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that Jainism offers a vital, ancient framework for understanding the evolution of human religious thought, bridging primitive animistic beliefs with complex philosophical systems.