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 259

The Followers of the Ever Growing One
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certain epigraphs, we need more definite clues to enable us to discover more of the background of this period and the reasons which favoured the coming into being of these groups. These kurattiyårs were probably Digambara in allegiance, but to which samgha or gana did they belong?298 From what we learn from the inscriptions, their manner of life differed from that of the Digambara äryikās as we know them and from that of the Svetāmbara sādhvis. They led an organised life in a stable institution, a type of monastery-school which constituted part, along with the temple, of one composite local samgha and was called a pen-palli (residence of women ascetics). It is also known that in certain places munis resided in the same complex. Certain inscriptions imply that, given the educational function of the institution, such permanent residence was then normal, for example:
-At Vilappākam, in the district of North Arcot, an epigraph of the middle of the Xth century mentions the gift of a well for the use of a pen-palli by Pațținikkuratti Atiga!, disciple of Ariștanemi Bhatāra of Tiruppānmalai.299 There are two points here worth noticing: the gift of a well implies that a pen-palli was a permanent residence, while the fact than an adigal had this well dug suggests that she was a person of authority in that place; the necessary sum of money must have been offered to her by members of the local saṁgha.300
298 Desai has demonstrated very well and convincingly the impact of the Yāpaniyas, whose ideas as to the position of women were very liberal and certainly influenced other local sects.
299 Cf. Krishnan, 1975, p. 97; No 20; pattini: fast, abstinence from food; an adigaļ is given thus a spiritual characteristic as a name and not a personal name.
300 Desai, 1957, pp. 41-42 gives the following information: "The well and a house were afterwards constituted into a nunnery and placed under the supervision of the twenty-four of the village... The Jaina residents of the place had organised themselves and constituted a representative council of 'twenty
mbers to look after their interests - reminiscence of the twenty-four Jinas."