Tirthankaras of the Future

SR No.: 250347
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nalini Balbir
Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_3_Pundit_Dalsukh_Malvaniya_012017.pdf
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 34
Language: English
Classification: Article & Tirthankar
File Size: 2 MB

Page 3

Nalini Balbir
Jinas' teachings1a (cf. savve te). Concern with the effective existence of Jinas at a given time is not specially relevant in this dogmatical context (as is also shown by the Ayaramga epexegetical tradition, cürgi, followed by T): past and future Ts. are said to be infinite in number, as time has neither a beginning nor an end18, Thus, here, the number 24 does not apply to them just as it does not apply to the present Ts. who all together are alleged to be 17014.
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In contrast, detailed material regarding F. Ts. is included in the Samaväyapga (4th Amga), the Thaṇāmga (3rd Amga), and the Titthogāli (Paiņņa? infra), viz. in the middle or later Canonical texts. The bulk of it is gathered in readymade lists which either supply only the F. Ts.' names or their names together with. those of their previous souls, or these latter alone Canonical narrative documentation will be considered separately (1.2),
The first fairly elaborate treatment of the utsarpini is to be found in the final portion of the Samaväyämga (S. I. 381-383): there the information is presented in tabular-form, in prose for the general outline and in verses (lokas, äryäs) for the lists. It is the exact counterpart of the systematic exposition worked out in the case of avasarpini-Great Men, covering both the Bharata and Airavata Lands. Complete data, however, is not provided for all the headings introduced in the development (below). Thus, the general picture is as follows:
A. List of the seven family-founders" (Pk. kulagara)15 to be born in Bharata: SI, 381, 19-22* Than, S I, 281, 10-12.* List of the ten kulagaras to be born in Airavata: SI, 381, 22-24; the names are identical with those occurring in Than, S 1, 313, 4-6, but the order is different.
B. "Great Men" of Bharata.
1. The 24 F. Ts. are dealt with under eight headings ("slots"): (1) their names, and (2) the names of their previous births are enumerated in full, in two independent and successive lists (S I, 381, 25-382,8*; see the chart, below (4); they will be discussed later on (1.1.3 After this the slots for their (3) fathers, (4) mothers, (5) first male disciples, (6) first female disciples, 7) first donor, (8) sacred tree, (8) sacred tree, are not supplied with names (382, 8-11).
2.
The 12 future Cakravartins: (1) the list of their names is given (382, 12-14*); whereas the lists of their (2) fathers. (3) mothers and (4) wives are not elaborated.
3, The 9 future Baladevas and Vasudevas (382,17-28). Their names are listed (21-23), together with those of their enemies (padisattu, 382, 2627*). The other headings (mothers, fathers, previous births, etc.) are not detailed,