Agam 15 Upang 04 Pragnapana Sutra Part 02

SR No.: 001064
Original Sutra Author: Shyamacharya
Author: Punyavijay, Dalsukh Malvania, Amrutlal Bhojak
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 934
Language: Prakrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Agam, Canon, Metaphysics, & agam_pragyapana
File Size: 16 MB

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occur three divisions, viz. sayaṁbuddha-siddha, patteyabuddhasiddha and buddhabohiya-siddha. Hence the explanation of these three is necessary. On the basis of Nandi-Cūrni Āc. Malayagiri has explained them. The gist of his explanation is as follows: Sayambuddha is that liberated soul who has attained bodhi (enlightenment) without depending upon any external cause or condition; the memory of the past lives might be there as an internal cause giving rise to the enlightenment. There are two classes of svayambuddhas (self-enlightened souls), viz. a class of tirthankaras and a class of not-tirthankaras. Of course, in the present list of 15 divisions by svayambuddha is meant only not-tirth ankara svayabuddhas because therein a division of tirthańkara-siddhas is separately mentioned. Svayambuddha attains enlightenment without the help of external cause whereas pratyeka-buddha attains it with the help of external cause. Pratyekabuddhas are so called because lonely they tour and lonely they stay; like gacchavasis they do not tour and stay in company with others. The enlightenment of the two is distinguished mainly on the basis of the presence or otherwise of the external cause in its origination. Again, the distinction between svayambuddha and pratyekabuddha is drawn on the basis of their paraphernalia, dress and śruta (scriptural knowledge). Svayambuddhas possess 12 types of paraphernalia, viz. food-bowls etc. whereas pratyekabuddhas possess 2 to 9 types of paraphernalia which never include cloth. Svyambuddha may or may not have scriptural knowledge before the attainment of enlightenment. If he has the scriptural knowledge then he approaches a spiritual teacher and accepts a dress from him, or he is offered the dress by gods who approach him. Such a svayambuddha tours and stays either single or in company with others; it depends upon his will. If he does not possess scriptural knowledge before the attainment of enlightenment then he necessarily and invariably approaches a spiritual teacher and accepts a dress from him only and again he necessarily and invariably tours and stays in company with others. He never tours or stays alone. Svayambuddhas may or may not have scriptural knowledge before the attainment of enlightenment, whereas pratyekabuddhas positively and necessarily possess the scriptural knowledge-minimum of eleven Angas and maximum
9. It is obvious that the story of the divine intervention has been invented
afterwards. From the standpoint of the essence of true religion, adoption of a particular dress is not necessary for the spiritual progress. But it is generally noticed that as soon as a religious order or tradition becomes strong its outward practices too become well-established and consequently the special type of dress become an inevitable part of the order.