Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

Page 257

famous as Bhūtabali and Puşpadanta. These were the two ascetics selected to study under Acārya Dharasena. They were taught Karma Prakrti Prābhṛta and as soon as their lessons ended on Āsādha śukla tenth they were asked to leave. They came to Ankaleśvara and spent the monsoon period there. At the end of caturmāsa (monsoon-stay) Puşpadanta went to Vanavāsa country with Jinapālita and Bhūtabalī went to Dramila country. Ācārya Puspadanta wrote Satprarūpaņā with twenty chapters. He initiated Jinapālita, taught him and sent him to Ācārya Bhūtabalī. Realizing that Puspadanta had very little time to live, Bhūtabali wrote the book Șatakhandāgama based on the aphorisms of Satprarūpaņā. When the writing was completed he sent it with ascetic Jinapālita to Ācārya Pușpadanta. When he saw this work Ācārya Puşpadanta was filled with pious joy. Along with the four fod religious organization (sangha) he worshipped this great work a Jyestha śukla fifth. That was the day the popular festival called Śruta Pañcami came into being. Along with Pejja Dosa Payadi this great book is also considered to be most authentic.
. Ācārya Kundakunda - In the tradition of Jain ācāryas Kundakunda occupies the top position. Before beginning any propitious work the four auspicious names uttered include the name of Ācārya Kundakunda after those of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra and Gautama Gañadhara. All later ācāryas have felt honoured in proclaiming themselves to be the followers of Ācārya Kundakunda. He was born in Konukunde (Kundakundapuram) town in Andhra Pradesh on Māgha śukla 5th, in 108 BC. He became an ascetic at an early age of 11 years and remained so for thirty-three years. After that he was ācārya for fifty-one years ten months and fifteen days. Thus his total life span was ninety-five years. In literature and inscriptions there are mentions that he went to the Videha area and listened to the divine voice of Sīmandhara Bhagavāna for seven days. He had the knowledge of Samaya Pāhuda, the tenth Vastu-adhikāra (section) out of the twelve sections of the fifth Jñāna Pravāda Pūrva (subtle canon). He compiled that knowledge in his work Samayapāhuda (Samayasāra). This is considered an excellent work on spiritualism. Besides this he wrote twenty-three other books including the famous titles like Pravacanasāra, Niyamasāra, Pancāstikāya, and Vārasa Aņuvekkhā.
Ācārya Umāsvāmi - His other name is Grdhapicchācārya. He was the most popular ācārya in the lineage of Kundakundācārya. His famous
240