The Hindu Confrontation with the Jaina and the Buddhist. Saint Tirunacampantar's Polemical Writings

Abstract

The seventh century A.D. was a period of religious conflict when Hinduism, especially the Saiva Bhakti movement came to collusion with Jainism and Buddhism in Tamilnadu. Saint Tiruñanacampantamurtti (Campantar) is a dominating figure in Tamil Saivism, who seems to reflect a unique blend of Vedic tradition, Saiva faith and Tamil culture. Campantar's outbursts against the Jains and the Buddhists were one of the underlying themes throughout his career. He seems to have made admirable use of Tamil nationalism in his confrontation with Jainism and Buddhism. It was probably the most important factor that favoured the success of the Saiva bhakti movement. He was able to bring out a synthesis of the interests of his caste along with those of Saivism. The Jains and the Buddhists could not withstand the movement launched by Campantar. Islam and Christianity came to Tamilnadu later but still the main stream among the Tamils continues to be Saivite.