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CHAPTER 9
Haribhadrasūri: An Advocate of Eve-Salvation
S. P. NARANG
Haribhadrasūri, the doyen of Jainism, is not only known for his original writings but also for the excellent commentaries on various texts. His commentaries prepare an extraordinary digest of the views of his opponents, which is a valuable storehouse of the lost or unknown Jaina or non-Jaina sects, and their thoughts. The present paper is related to the topic of the salvation of women on the basis of the Lalita-vistarā (LV), a commentary on the Caityavandana-sūtra, the object whereof is to attain the prayer and the good seeds for rebirth.
The great saint Haribhadra-sūri is not an adamant follower of the traditional thoughts. His writings have a fresh approach based on a balanced reason and logic (san-nyāya), that investigates the merits and demerits with the object of propagation of knowledge and removal of doubts. His liberal attitude was a distinct help in reaching a rational conclusion.
The issue of liberation of women raised a controversy amongst the Jainas. The Digambara tradition, particularly the Yāpanīya Šāstra, the arguments whereof have been put forth as authority by Haribhadrasūri, propounds that woman cannot 'attain salvation. But Haribhadrasūri has quoted a gāthāể that
