Mahavira Jayanti Smarika 1975

SR No.: 014031
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhanvarlal Polyaka
Publisher: Rajasthan Jain Sabha Jaipur
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 446
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 11 MB

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amongst the monks practising two kinds of asceticism Jinakal pa a stricter form of asceticism and Sthavirkal pa-a milder form of asceticism, The main points of differences are regarding the use of clothes by monks, and possibility of salvation of women. Traditionally the schism is believed to have taken place in the 2nd century A.D.
In the Shvetamber sect, further schism took place in 1663 A. D. when the Sthanakwasi sect came into existence. Actually as early as 1451 A.D. a Jain lay follower called Lunka Mehta started a campaign against the laxity of monks in the Shvetamber sect. The revolt got crystallized 200 years later into formation of the new sect. This new sect was also against idolworshipping, and hence also against building of temples. The lay-followers started building houses to perform religious activities in them. These buildings later on were also used by the monks to stay in and came to be called as "Sthanaka".
A century later in 1760 A.D. Acharya Bhikshu brought about a revolution. This against the building of Sthanakas specially as abode for the monks. resulted in the birth of Terapanth. Acharya Bhikshu also made some new interpretations of the concepts of pity and charity. He also organised the monastic order in a more disciplined and systematic form,
The Digamber sect also was subdivided into some sub-sects such as Terapanthi, Bisapanthi, Taranpanthi, etc. and the original Shvetamber sect, now known as the Murtipujaka sect, also got sub-divided into several sub-sects such as Tapa gachcha, Khartara gachcha, etc.
Political Patronage :
Bhagwan Mahavira was a Kshatriya and belonged to a royal family having blood relationship with major royal families of the then India. It was, therefore, quite natural that most of his contemporary kings either became his followers or admirers. Thus besides Kings Bimbisara and Ajatsatru of Magadha, King Chetaka of Vaishali (Head of the Vajji Republic), and other heads of the Mallaki and Lichavi Republics, King Shatanika of Kausahmbi and his successor King Udayana (the famous character of the Sanskrit Drama Svapnavasavadatta by Bhasa). King Chanda Pradyot of Ujjain, King Udayana of Sindh, King Dadhivahana of Anga (Bhagalpur) etc. were the kings who offered their patronage to Jainism during Mahavira's life. Not only did these Kings offer patronage, but many of them and their family members got initiated into the monastic
order of Mahavira,
Gradually the state of Magadha dominated over most part of the North India and the Kings of Magadha in the 5th century B.C. were the Nandas. They'