The Missions of Jaina Sangha

This essay surveys the missionary activities of the Jaina Saṅgha from the time of Mahāvīra into the medieval period. It notes that long before Mahāvīra’s nirvāṇa, provinces such as Kāśī, Kāuśala and Magadha already had Jain centres, suggesting that the religion was rooted in eastern India. After Mahāvīra’s passing the religion spread rapidly: dynasties like the Sisunāgas, Nandas, Mauryas and Śuṅgas patronised Jainism; many rulers adopted Jain practices and supported the construction of monasteries and the compilation of canonical texts. The essay emphasises that missionary zeal was rooted in the Jina’s message of non‑violence and anekāntavāda (multiplicity of viewpoints). Monks established four‑fold communities (monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen) and created a disciplined social organisation that could survive after the teacher’s death. As traders joined, wealth flowed into the Saṅgha, enabling urban centres to become hubs of learning and philanthropy. The migration of ācārya Bhadrabāhu and his followers to southern India around the third century BCE, perhaps due to famine or political unrest, is highlighted as pivotal: they took the canon to Karnataka where they received patronage from dynasties such as the Kadambas, Chālukyas and Gāṅgas. This southern sojourn led to the division into Digambara (sky‑clad) and Śvetāmbara (white‑clad) sects, illustrating how regional circumstances shape doctrine. The essay surveys missionary journeys outside India: sources attest that Jainism had reached Sri Lanka by at least the eighth century BCE and there is evidence of Jain communities in Burma, Afghanistan, Iran and even Greece. Jain teachers wrote commentaries in local languages and established numerous shrines; as a result, Jainism interacted with Buddhism and Hinduism, sometimes competing for patrons and sometimes cooperating on festivals. The role of lay donors, especially merchants and women, is emphasised; they financed educational institutions, hospitals and free kitchens. Over time, the Saṅgha developed complex lineages, each with its own succession of teachers, resulting in doctrinal debates that enriched philosophy. The essay also notes the Council at Valabhi where scriptures were compiled to prevent loss of memory after famine, showing institutional foresight. The missionary narrative addresses the decline of Jainism in some regions due to Islamic invasions and the rise of Śaivism, but it underscores the resilience of communities that survived through diaspora networks and periodic revivals. The essay concludes by arguing that understanding the missions of the Saṅgha explains how a small ascetic order created a pan‑Indian religion with ethical practices that continue to inspire both Jains and non‑Jains today.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.