Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

SR No.: 001332
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nathmal Tatia, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1981
Total Pages: 175
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

Page 112

80 The Four Monastic Courses
bowls, etc., as discussed in the was familiar with the caujjama dhaVijayodayā,249 is clearly based on the mma252 which he ascribed to Pūrvāgamas (ancient Agamic texts) Nigantha Nāyaputta, though, in that are still extant and sanction fact, it was a discipline propounded the use of those articles.250 Pandit by Pārsva. It is evident from such Nathuram Premi has also conclu- ascription that Lord Mahāvīra's sively proved that the munis innovations of the "five śikṣāpadas" (monks) and äryikās (nuns) were was not known to the Buddha. classed in the same category by the Moreover, the characterization of author of the Mulācāra.251 Now, the Nirgranthas as ekasātaka253 as the authority of the Mülācāra also proves that the Buddha was and the Mūlārādhanā is acceptable familiar more with the Pārsva's to the Digambaras, it is necessary discipline than with that of Niganto reconcile nudity with the use of tha Nāvanutta To be nrecise the clothes by a section of monks on Buddha mistook the Pārsva's discithe one hand, and the entire com- pline as that of Lord Mahā vīra. munity of nuns on the other. The
The controversy on nudity recorded authenticity of the texts containing in the Uttarajihayanāni between the the references to monastic outfits followers of Pārśva and Mahāvīra is also an important problem that
and the attempt at reconciling the may be reviewed in the light of our two disciplines can be considered above-mentioned suggestion.
as a proof in favour of our conten
tion. Nudity was not universally The pre-Mabāvīra character of accepted and a solution to the issue the Nirgrantha monastic code was sought in a spirit that was is also proved by the fact that the representative of the non-absolutisBuddha prescribed many a rule tic (anekānta) attitude of the partiafter the pattern of that code. He cipants at the debate.
References 1 Chapter IX. That the Victor's Course was conceived in imitation of the actual ascetic life of the jina is admitted by the Jaina thinkers.Cf. Bhavasamgraha, v. 123 cd : jiņa iva viharanti sadā
te jinakappe thiā samaņā 2 BKBh, v. 1447. 3 Ibid., v. 1446 (=1132). 4 Ibid., vv. 1132 ff. 5 Ibid., vy. 1133-42. 6 Ibid., vv. 1143-1218. 7 Ibid., v. 1162. 8 Ibid., vv. 1163 71. 9 Ibid., vv. 1219-22. 10 Ibid., v. 1220.
11 Ibid., v. 1221. 12 Ibid., vv, 1223-40. 13 Ibid., v. 1239. 14 Ibid., vv. 1223, 15 Ibid., v. 1224. jo vi pagåso bahuso gunio paccakkao
na uvaladdhol jaccamdhassa vă camdo, phudo vi
samto tahā sa khalull 16 Ibid., v. 1227. 17 Ibid., v. 1228. 18 Ibid., vv. 1229-31. 19 Ibid., vv. 1235-38, 20 Ibid., v. 1239. 21 Ibid., vy. 1241-79. 22 Ibid., v. 1242-52.