Jaina Community a Social Survey

SR No.: 007019
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Popular Book Depot Bombay
Publication Year: 1980
Total Pages: 484
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 75

Religious Divisions in the Jaina Community
canonised. As time passed on, differences of opinion regarding the interpretation of many doctrines arose and those who differed established a separate school of thought and formed themselves into a sect or sub-sect. Thirdly, it may be maintained that sects and sub-sects arise as a direct result of the revolt against the actions and policy of ruling priests or heads of the Church. Those who are at the helm of religious affairs are likely to swerve from their prescribed path and debase themselves or they are likely to be too strict in maintaining and preserving the religious practices in a manner they think it proper, without taking into account the needs of the changing conditions. In both the cases natural indignation is bound to occur on the part of the thinking population and there should not be any surprise if his accumulated indignation and discontent take a turn in formulating and organising a separate sect. Martin Luther revolted against the highhanded policy of Popes and Priests in the Christain religion and founded the section of Protestants in that religion.
2. THE GREAT SCHISM The history of the Jaina Church is full of references to the various schisms that had taken place from time to time and some of these schisms contributed to the rise of sects and sub-sects in the Jaina religion. There is no unity of opinion on the manner and nature of such schisms. According to Śvetāmbaras, there were eight schisms, of which the first was caused by Mahāvīra's son-inlaw, Jamāli; and eighth, occurring in 83 A. D., gave rise to the Digambara sect. But the Digambaras seem to be ignorant of the earlier schisms. As the first seven schisms were comparatively unimportant, we may deal with only the eighth schism which ultimately split the community into two rival sects. In this connection it should be remembered that in order to prove the antiquity of their sect, both the sects have put forward their own theories regarding the origin of the other secto. As regards the origin of the Digambara sect, it is ascribed by the Svetāmbaras to, Siva-bhūti,10 who started the heretical sect of the Bhotikas in 83 A. D. This report is denied by the Digambaras; they maintain that they have preserved the original practices, but that, under the 8th successor of Mahāvīra, Bhadrabāhu, a sect with laxer principles arose, and that this sect, which was called that of the
J...4