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Post-Mahāvīra Period and the Contribution of Jainism
The Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras The points of difference between the Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras are numerous. 1. The Svetāmbaras believe in the tale that Mahāvīra's embryo was
transferred from the womb of the brāhmana lady Devānandā, wife
of Rsabha, to that of Trišalā.183 But the Digambaras reject this story. 184 2. According to the Svetāmbara tradition, Mahavīra was married to
Yasodā.185 But the Digambaras hold that he remained celibate all
through his life.186 3. The Svetāmbaras hold that a woman can attain salvation.187 But the
Digambaras believe that a woman can not be a tīrthamkara.188 4. According to the Svetāmbaras, Malli, the nineteenth tīrthamkara,
was a woman. 189 But the Digambaras hold that Malli was a male190 and call him Mallinātha. 191
5. The Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras generally agree in the details
regarding the tīrthamkaras. 192 But they differ in respect of the names of the yaksas and the yaksinīs attached to the tīrthamkaras. 193
6. The Digambaras enlist most of the sixteen vidyādevīs or goddesses of
183. CHI, I, pp. 157-8. 184. Ibid. 185. Ibid., p. 158; JSS, p. 20; AOIU, p. 413; AAHI, p. 85. 186. JSS, p. 20 fn. 8; HJM, p. 66 fn. 57; CHAI, III, p. 277. 187. JPV, p. 183; JAA, I, p. 15 fn. 1; JI, pp. 14-15. 188. Ibid.; Ibid., pp. 15-16 fn; Ibid., pp. 14-15; OISJ, p. 4 fn. 2. 189. Ibid.; Ibid., p. 15 fn1; Ibid. 190. Ibid.; Ibid., p. 16 fn; Ibid.; pp. 14-15, 77. 191. JI, pp. 14-15, 77; JAA, I, p. 16 fn. 192. OISJ, p. 64. 193 Ibid.
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