Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 156

Chapter 3.
THE FOLLOWERS OF "THE EVER-GROWING ONE": GROWTH, DECLINE AND CONTINUITY
Sthavira Arya Vajra of the line of the Gautamas had three spiritual sons: Sthavira Arya Vajrasena, Sthavira Arya Padma and Sthavira Arya Ratha.?
...I salute with reverence Devardhi Kșamāśramana of the line of the Kāśapas, depositary of the precious jewel of understanding of the Sūtras and treasury of the virtues of patience, self-mastery and kindness.2
After the Council of Pāšaliputra, the disciples of Sthūlabhadra continued the line of sthaviras (elders), establishing new sākhas (branches).3 The last one to have a knowledge of the ten Pūrvas was Ārya Vajra, also known, so tradition tells us, as Vajra Svāmin. He lived in the first century A.D. and must have been an outstanding ācārya, if one judges by the number of references to him in the commentaries of the Avaśyaka, where allusion is often made to his supernatural powers. He is also well-known for having travelled long distances and reached the South.
Ārya Vajra was born at Tumbavaņa, in the region of Avanti after his father, Dhanagiri, had already become an ascetic. An extraordinary
1 therassa naň ajja Vairassa goyamasagottas sa ime tinni
therä amtevasi ahāvaccă abhinnāyā hotha, tamjaha there ajja Vairasenie, there ajjaPaume, there ajjaRahe. KS 221.
2
suttattharayanabharie, Khamadamamaddvagunehim sampanne Devaddhikhamāsamaņe, kāsavagotte papivayāmi. KS 223 (9)
3 Cf. KS 209-220.