Many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and practices because:
- these beliefs were cumbersome and difficult to follow.
- these beliefs led to social inequality and created differences between classes.
- the religious teachings favoured the privileged and discriminated against lower classes.
- the teachers felt attracted to the idea of a Supreme who could deliver humans from **** if approached with devotion (or bhakti).
Hence, many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and turned to religions like Buddhism and Jainism to overcome social differences.
