Mahaviras Word

SR No.: 001561
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Walther Shubring
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 318
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & Philosophy
File Size: 22 MB

Page 43

Mahävira's Words by Walther Schubring
disciple of Gaddabhāli (2, 1), Poggala (11, 12) and Somila (18, 10), the merchant Sudamsaņa (11, 11), the heretic Kālodāi (7, 10), and are all converted by Mahāvīra. King Udāyaṇa of Kosambi and his mother are content with the visit (alone), whereas his aunt Jayanti is won over to become a nun (12, 2). The king of Sindhusovira, with the same name, who converts himself to a lay follower, may be someone else (13,6). What is very significant is that Mahāvīra does not speak at all; on the contrary, Goyama (11, 4), a certain Niyaņțhīputta (5, 8) and even generally the therā bhagavanto (1, 9, see p. 10 above) successfully appear and, indeed, even the laymen Isibhaddaputta (11, 12) and Madduya (18, 7) express their views on questions of faith, coming from a friendly or unfriendly side, to the satisfaction of the master. On the other hand, recognition is also given to teachers who are devotees of Pāsa who answer questions from pious laity in Mahāvira's sense (12,5), who himself repeatedly refers to Pāsa (5,9; 9, 32). This instruction to the laity took place at the holy place of Pupphavaiya near Tungiyā. (57) The scenes of the other events mentioned here are Moyā, Ālambhiyā and Sāvatthi. A hot spring near Rāyagiha, the Mount Vebhāra there and the name of this city itself play a role. Events contemporary to the period are the battle of the stone missiles" and the battle of the chargingchariots" (7,9).59 (19) From the content of the instructions and remarks in the Viyahapannatti as well, one obtains a clearer picture of the figure of the founder (60) than from anywhere else in the texts with the same outline. Mahāvīra appears to us as a person when admits that the close relationship between himself and Goyama has occurred in numerous existences of both of them in the worlds of gods and humans (14,7), and when he commends Goyama for his own unique quickness of repartee demonstrated in various disputes (18,8). Madduya finally obtains Mahāvīra's approval because he (Madduya) refutes the opponent without drawing the sanctity of the doctrine into the battle of word (18, 7).
At that time a competent,6 little monk called Aimutta was a disciple of the monk [and] Lord Mahāvīra. This little monk Aimutta once when it rained heavily had
$7... situated two miles from Bihar town." Jain 1984, p. 421 (WB).
** Abhayadeva calls it a kriļā-parvata, though the picture given in Rhys Davids 1909, p. 364, depicts more significantly natural conditions.
» For these war machines see Hoernle, 1888-90 appendix (vol. II) p. 59. ou See Schubring 1935, $ 31 and Dundas 2002, p. 32f. (WB). l Here there is the usual series of praiseworthy epithets.