Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa

SR No.: 006747
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 322
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 172

XVI
MONKS' FEDERATION AND ITS
ADMINISTRATORS
The federation of monks and nuns had been functioning quite effectively since long. Lord Mahāvira's administration was sound. His disciples had been divided into nine groups which were headed by his chief disciples like Indrabhuti, Agnibhūti and the like. The administrative side was looked after by them, leaving the Master free to pontifieate as also satisfy the curiosity of his disciples, to make them acquainted with religious rules and regulations, to discuss religious matters with monks of another Order and to inculcate truth in his pupils. All other work was entrusted to the pontiff with specific duties assigned to each one of them. Qualitatively, they belonged to seven categories as follows :
(1) Kevalī, i.e. the omniscient. The best among the lot, they were seven hundred in number. They were as wise as Mahavira himself. They, at times, delivered religious discourses but were otherwise absorbed in Self.
(2) Manahparyāyajnajī, i.e. those who could know for certain the minds of others. They were five hundred.
(3) Avadhijnānī, i.e. they had the supersensual knowledge. They were 1300.
(4) Vaikriyalabdhidhāri i.e. they could assume different forms as small as an ant and as big as a mountain. They were always absorbed in penance and repetition of the name of some liberated soul. They were 700.
(5) Caturdašapūrvī, i.e. they were learned and efficient teachers of the earlier holy books. They were 300.
6) Vadi, i.e. they were experts in philosophical lore. They could convincingly justify their stand and refute others' logic. They could well withstand any assault on Jainism. They were 400.
(7) Sāmānya i.e. those who fasted, did penances etc. but did not quite distinguish themselves in any sphere. Such monks were 14000 and nuns 36000. Mahāvīra's administration was fool-proof. In thirty years only two monks had serious differences with him. One was Jamali who established his own sect, 'Bahuratavāda' and was hence expelled after fourteen years' stay. The other was Tisyagupta who was expelled after