Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

SR No.: 006918
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 358
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 69

HISTORY OF JAINISM PRIOR TO MAHĀVĪRA
also could take food prepared for him, but Mahāvīra forbade this practice. Pārśva allowed his monk to accept the meals prepared for the king; but Mahāvīra prohibited it.
In Mahāvīra's tradition it was vital for a friar or nun to move from place to another, except during the rainy season. Also, an ascetic, he had said, must not stay at one place for more than a month. But according to Pārsva's tradition, a friar could stay at one place as long as he wished. In short, to keep on wandering was essential in Mahāvīra's tradition but was optioned in Pārsva's disciplinary code. Mahāvīra had stressed that an ascetic must stay on at one place during four months of the rainy season; whereas this disciplinary code in Pārsva's tradition was optional.
One more point that according to Mahāvīra an aspirant to friar hood must be initiated probation ally and only after probationary period of testing, if he is proven eligible, then he may be allowed to be ordained; and his seniority was fixed accordingly in the Order or Samgha.
Dr. Sagarmal Jain opined, from the above-narrated distinctive features of Pārsva's philosophy, teaching and monastic discipline, which has been traced from early literature. The belief that all Jinas teach the same code of conduct receives no support from the evidence locked in the earlier canonical books.
The most notable contribution of Pārśva, as opinioned by Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, was his emphasis on ethical note in the practice of religion and he considerably succeeded in infusing a moral spirit in the contemporary world. Moreover, he raised his voice against meaningless self-torturing practices which had become fashion with the ascetics of different orders, who indulged in curbing the flesh without paying any heed to self-purification and mental and spiritual elevation of the soul. It was a step forward. As is seen in history, it was in time of the 20'"TīrthankaraMunisuvrata, that an opposition to and condemnation of violent Vedic sacrifices involving the killing of various animals were first started; in that of the