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

Page 576

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
(3) Images of ācāryas,512
(4) Footprints of nuns,513
(5) Images of Ganadharas like Gotamasvamin,514
(6) Footprints of monks,515
(7) Siddhacakras,516
(8) Tirthankara-pattikäs,
and (9) Images possibly of local deities like Kşetrapalamūrti, Caturbhuja,517 etc.
WAYS OF WORSHIP:
This practice of building magnificent temples naturally led to a form of costly worship by royal and rich patrons as a way of expressing their devotion.
This is evidenced by epigraphs of various periods which refer to the practice of eight kinds of worship,518 granting land for the perpetual lamp and incense in the temple,519 anointing the image with ghee and milk,620 erecting golden sikharas to temples, and silver-plating of the throne of the Jina image,522
It should be noted that in certain parts of India the Brahmins again came to the rescue of the Jainas to provide the role of priests in the worship rituals. Or else, it may be that the converts to Jainism or the Jaina laymen continued or adopted Brähmanical ritualism, for we have records which give the information of the 'sattra' or feast to all Brahmins at the consecration of a Jina image, and of spending thousands of rupees as 'dakṣinä' to Brahmins on the same occasion.524
571
This led actually to the formation of a class of priests in the Jaina. Church itself. And, as early as in the time of Kadamba Mrgeśavarman, the epigraphs refer to the Bhojakas or "a class of officiating priests in Jaina
512. E.C., II, 196. 513. NAHAR, I, 335. 514. Ibid., III, 2433.
515. Ibid., 2435.
516. Ibid., 2444.
517. Ibid., 2537; IK., 56.
518. E.C., II, 178, of 1159 A.D.; VII, Sk. 225; Sb., 345.
519. Ibid., V, Arsi. 141 of 1159 A.D.; NAHAR, I, 839 of V.S. 1218.
520. I.A., VII, pp. 36-37: Kadamba Mrgeśavarman; E.C., II, 200 of 1288 A.D. 521. NAHAR, I, 899, of V. S., 1211.
522. Ibid., III, 2545 of V. S. 1911.
523. E.C., VII, Shik. 8, of c. 1080 A.D.
524. NAHAR, III, 2530, of V. S. 1891.