Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 112

Their Temples and Sacred Places : 77 Patna, capital of the State, ancient Pāțalīputra where a council for the recension of the Svetāmbara "canon” took place in the Iv' century BC, some modern Jain temples and a museum of archaeology that preserves interesting relics of the past, along with two Jain images of Mauryan period (III" century BC),
Pavapuri (Apapuri) ancient capital of Bihar where Mahāvīra is believed to be dead and burnt to ashes, a picturesque Jain temple in white marble, with his foot-prints (pādukā), in the centre of a lake covered by lotuses, called "Jala Mandir". One can also admire several ancient and modern Jain temples in the vicinity of which a reproduction of the great assembly for Tīrthankara's sermons (samavasarana). Some scholars are of different opinion regarding the place of Mahāvīra's death; they assert that ancient Pāvā was near Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh).
There are also two “dharmaśālas" here (a Svetāmbara one and a Digambara one) for pilgrims and visitors that come in great number, every year, at the occasion of Diwali festival, to see the big illuminations in memory of Mahāvīra's liberation.
Rajgir, ancient Rajagriha, capital of Magadha, where according to tradition Mahāvīra stayed during fourteen rainy seasons and Munisuvrata (the 20h Tīrthankara) was born, a modern Digambara temple called "Temple of Vipula" and a cave-temple called "Sonabhandar" with beautiful sculptures on its walls.
On thes five hills, there are numerous Jain temples, a seated statue of Nemi without head and two small standing Jina by his sides. At the foot of one hill is the great Jain āśrama "Veerayatan" that includes a sthānaka, a museum, a dharmaśālā, an eye hospital, etc. It was erected in 1973 by the Sthānakavāsī Muni Gurudeva Amar and Candana, the first woman to become an Acārya.