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INTRODUCTION
particular individual and refutes his point'. From this we can clearly see that Jinabhadra did not regard Siddhasena as the first exponent of the Abhedavāda. But it is not quite clear who the first exponent of the doctrine of Abhedavāda was. This much, of course, is quite clear that Jinabhadra had before him the works of other Acaryas, over and above the Sanmati of Siddhasena against which he had directed his attack. Haribhadra mentions the name of one Vṛddha Acarya as the champion of this doctrine. If he was really a historical figure and if he was the first founder of this doctrine, then we have to interpret, the remarks of Abhayadeva about Siddhasena as being the pioneer of this doctrine in this sense that he systematised his own doctrine and composed able works in support of it, and these can undoubtedly be regarded as monumental works dealing with Abhedavāda. Another evidence to show that there were some supporters of Abhedavāda preceding Siddhasena is this that there are arguments levelled by Siddhasena in Gatha 21 of the 2nd chapter of Sanmati against one kind of the doctrine of Abhedavāda which to Siddhasena does not seem to be the right sort of Abhedavāda. It seems from the commentary of Yasovijaya on this Gatha of Sanmati that Siddhasena had prior to him or at least in his own times some varieties of Abhedavāda which to him did not appear to be correct.
1 Vi. B. v. 3113.
2 See Nandi Tika p 52,
3 Sanmati Tika. p. 608. 4 Jnana-Bindu p. 160.
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