Question

Answer all the questions given under caption.

1. Mention the two branches of Jainism.
2. Explain these two branches
3. Why did Jainism decline?
4. Mention the significance of Jaina Kanchi.

Answer 1

1. Jainism split into two branches, namely the Digambaras (sky-clad) and Svetambaras (White clad)
2. The Digambaras were the orthodox followers of Mahavira. The Digambaras rejected clothes altogether. Svetambaras wore a white dress from head to toe.
3. The lack of royal patronage, its severity, factionalism, and the spread of Buddhism led to the decline of Jainism in India.
4. Close to the present town of Kanchi then is a place called Jaina Kanchi where we find many Jain temples. One of the important temples is the Thiruparuthi Kundram temple where the ceiling is painted with the life story of Mahavira.