History Of Jainism With Special Reference To Mathura

SR No.: 022807
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Printworld P L
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 115

Post-Mahāvīra Period and the Contribution of Jainism
fifteenth century AD, and scholars like Jacobi are inclined to accept it as true. 166
The causes of dissent in most of these schisms pertained to minor points in the doctrines of Jainism. Therefore, these schisms left no permanent mark on the Jaina community. But the last schism produced serious consequences. It was a split which divided the Jaina community into two sects – the Svetambara and the Digambara – and each of these two sects claimed greater authenticity than the other. This split left a mark on the pattern of the development of Jainism, on its regional spread, monastic practices, iconography, etc.167 After this division became well-established, the differences between the Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras centred around numerous subjects.
Causes of the split in Jainism The Svetāmbara and the Digambara accounts are at variance with each other regarding the causes of this split.168 These accounts appear to be products of sectarian hatred.169 Literary writings and early sculptures prove that170 most of the differences between the Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras were outcome of historical growth.171 The Jainas who lived in various parts of India remained isolated from each other for long because of the vastness of the country; they, therefore, developed different beliefs and customs, and became aware of these differences about the end of the first century AD.172 According to one tradition, this split occurred in AD 79 and according to another in AD 82.173 In view of this some date about AD 80 should be accepted
166. CMHI, II, pp. 356-7. 167. HJM, pp. 79ff.; AOIU, p. 416; ACHI, p. 102. 168. LDJC, pp. 26-9; JSS, pp. 39-45; HJM, pp. 80-3; JIR, pp. 54-5. 169. AOIU, p. 416; HJM, p. 83. 170. Ibid., p. 416. 171. Ibid.; ERE, VII, p. 473; JSS, p. 45; LDJC, p. 28. 172. ERE, VII, p. 473. 173. GD, p. 108; CHAI, III, p. 297 fn. 4; JIR, p. 54; CMHI, II, p. 362.
93