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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S. B. DEO see later on, refer to his disciples like Upāli,33 Abhaya,34 Siha,35 Asibandhakaputta,36 Saccā and Patācarā.37 Pārsva's Religion:
The religion of Pārśva was called Cāujjāma dhamma38 or the four-fold religion consisting of abstinence from himsā (pāņāivāya), untruth (musavāya), stealing (adiņņādāņa) and possession (bahiddhādāņa). The followers of Pārsva were allowed to put on clothes.
Other aspects of his religion are revealed by the practice of repenting for the transgressions done, as resorted to by the parents of Mahāvīra. They also practised fasting upto death by lying upon a bed of Kuśa-grass.39
The practice of giving up all clothing in order to practise the life as a Jinakalpika monk towards the end of one's career is also referred to in the case of Municandra who was the follower of Pārsva.40
It may be noted that certain Buddhist texts seem to refer to a similar fourfold religion though they attribute it to the Nātaputta (Mahāvīra). The phrase used there is 'cātuyāma samvara samvuto',41 which according to JACOBI42 refers to the religion of Pārśva. Church Organisation :
We have already seen that Pārsva had around him a respectable number of followers divided into monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. His monk disciples were divided into eight groups, each of which was headed by a ganadhara. The names of these ganadharas were Subha, Subhaghosa, Vasittha, Bambhayārī, Soma, Siridhara, Virabhadda and Jasa. 43
That he did not neglect the order of nuns is also proved by the mention of several of his nun-followers under Pupphacūlā.
33. Majj. N. I. Upali Sutta. 34. Ibid. I. Abhayarājakumāra Sutta. 35. Mahāvagga VI, 31. 36. Sam. N. iv, 317ff. 37. Jätakas, III, 1. 38. Nāya. pp. 139, 218; Thān, p. 457b; Bhag. p. 455a; Uttar. 23, 12; Rayap, sú. 147. 39. Acãr. II, 15, 16 (p. 194). 40. Avaśyaka-C. pp. 285, 291. 41. The Sāmaññaphala Sutta of the Digha Nikāya, p. 57 (PTS). 42. L.A. IX, p. 160; SBE, xlv, pp. XX-XXI.
43. Smv. p. 13b: The commentary says that even though the number is eight both in Than, and Paryūşanākalpa, yet in Avaśyaka it is ten. Therefore, these two must have been short-lived, Smv. comm. p. 14b; also Kalpasūtra, comm. p. 169.