History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

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HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM From their embellishments several Jaina monks seemed to have some additional suffix to their names, as in the case of Śrīpāla-Traividya, HemasenaVidyādhanañjaya, and Ajitasena-Vädibhasimha.414
This intellectual power blossomed under royal patronage, and works on philosophy, religion and logic were written by several Jaina monks to which the epigraphs also stand testimony.415 It should be noted that besides these, Jaina monks attempted works even on music and dramaturgy.416 It is interesting to note that Jinacandra is described as being one "whose skill in vocal and instrumental music and in dancing spread to all points of the compass”!417 Of Srutakīrti-Traividya, it is said that he composed "the Rāghava-Pāņdaviya in such a way that it could be read both backwards and forwards".418
The debating power of the Jaina monks is also referred to in glorifying words in epigraphs. For instance, of Vakragrīva (c. 1st cent. A.D.) it was said that he "expounded the meaning of the word 'atha' during six months”!419 Maheśvara is said to have defeated as many as seventy great disputants.420
This tradition of debating, it may be noted, was peculiar both to the Digambaras as well as to the Svetāmbaras, and among the latter the instance of Hiravijaya, who defeated a number of opponents in the court of Akbar (Akabbarasamakşa-vijita-vādivịnda-samudbhūta-yaśāḥ),421 is famous.
No technical details, however, pertaining to study as are to be found in the Svetāmbara Canon or in the Digambara works are met with in the epigraphs.
PENANCE AND FASTING :
The important place of penance, mainly consisting of fasting, in the life of a Jaina monk is corroborated by inscriptions right from the 5th century A.D. till the end of the 19th century A.D. Fasting was a preparation for the 'sallekhana' almost from the beginning.
For instance, the epigraphs give laudatory epithets to various monks denoting their power and tenacity of penance and fasting, An epigraph dated
414. E.I., VIII, p. 17. 415. For the works of various scholars, see E.C., II, 64, 67. 416. Ibid., 65. 417. Ibid., 69, of c. 1100 A.D. 418. Ibid., 64: 1163 A.D. 419. Ibid... 67 of 1129 A.D. 420. Ibid.
421. NAHAR, II, 1794 of V.S. 1661; also, 1628 of 1670. BULL, DCRI.-71