Agam 24 Chhed 01 Nishith Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Kanhaiyalal Maharaj
Publisher: Amar Publications

Page 33

25
These texts describe elaborately the system of expiatory fasts like the 'Caturlaghu', 'Cahturguru', 'māsalaghu', 'māsaguru' and the 'pancaindriya' which the transgressor had to undergo for purification. Moral standards of monks was a primary condition to command respect from the laymen. Otherwise, there is danger lest the upholders of the Faith reverse the very tenets of Jainism. Haribhadra impatiently declares, the degree and quality of acāra that is followed and not simply the number of followers, should be the aim of a religion. Religion suffers more by its precepts followed in a bad manner than by people not doing at all. It can be illustrated by the difference between the mặta (dead) and the mārita (murdered). The people who follow religious instructions improperly, definitely commit murder of the Church. It would be better to let the Church die if it gets no followers at all.” (Vimśavimśikā 17, 14-16).
Until now there has been analysis of Svetāmbara monastic practices, at the same time a causal reference to Digambara system also. We find a vigorous spread of another type of movement during the times of Muslim Rule. About the genesis of the new Sect known as Sthānakavāsin, Mrs. Stevenson remarks, "If one effect of the Mohammedan, conquest, however, was to drive many of the Jainas into closer union with their fellow idolworshippers in the face of iconoclasts, another effect was to drive others away from idolatry altogether. No oriental could hear a fellow oriental's passionate outcry against idolatry without doubts as to the righteousness of the practice entering his mind." (Heart of Jainism, p. 19).
A story is narrated as to the beginning of this sect. A certain gentleman named Lonkā Sa of Svetāmbara sect wanted to get the canonical works copied, employing several persons. lo about 1474 A.D a Svetāmbara monk called Jñanji requested the gentleman Lonkā to give him some copies of the text. The householder found while reading the texts that there was no reference to the idol-worship (worship of Tirthankara idol). This was brought to the notice of the Jain Sädhu who refused to accept Lonka's point of view. Hence Lonkā started his own sect, ordained