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
Corroboration for the Dig. Account:
The following points support the Digambara account:
(1) The Magadha famine and the migration of Bhadrabahu is referred to in a Śravana Belagola epigraph of c. 600 A.D.149 It may be noted, however, that only the incident of migration and not its after-effects are referred to in this epigraph.
(2) In the Thananga,150 Mahavira tells Goyama, "I have laid down. the practice of nudity (mae acelate dhamme pannatte)." It may be noted that neither the Acäränga nor the Kalpasütra texts refer to the story of Somila Brahamana. That is found only in the commentaries.
(3) Even the Svetärbara texts refer to two modes of monk-lifethe Jinakappi and the Therakappi, some among the former accepting nudity and thus trying to copy the Jina.
(4) The inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga (c. 2nd cent. B.C.) refers to the image of the Jina which he brought back from Magadha as it was carried away by the Nanda king,151
(5) Regarding the sculptures on the Udayagiri and the Khandagiri caves, it may be noted that, "Only the Tirthankaras are represented nude, and even they are occasionally shown dressed, if the scene is intended to represent some scene of their human life."152
Svetambara Arguments:
As against these points, the points in favour of the Svetämbaras are: (1) The story of Somila does indicate only the state of unattachment to the bodily care by Mahavira.
(2) Scholars are still not unanimous regarding the date of Bhadrabāhu, for there were more than one Bhadrabāhus in the Jaina Church.
(3) From the rules regarding clothing as given in the Angas, no compulsion is evident regarding nudity. The only factor that is stressed is non-attachment to the body as well as to clothing.
(4) Even the Jinakalpikas used clothing.
149. E.C. II, No. 1; Vol. IV, p. 22; I.A. III, pp. 153-58; For Life of Bhadrabahu Ibid; Also I.A., XXI, p. 157.
150. p. 460b.
151. E.I., Vol. XX, pp. 80:.
152. Mon Mohan CAKRAVARTI, Notes on the Remains on Dhauli and in the Caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, p. 2.