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Tirthamkaras of the Future
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recorded in the Svet. texts and sixteen in the Dig. 78 : on the whole, they summarize the essentials of morality or good conduct : charity, compassion, self-control, right faith, etc.
Their enumeration appears to be closely related to the avasarpiņi-mythology and they represent, as it were, an attempt to give a rational account of the T's' existence on earth, in accordance with the law of karman and rebirth. In the Avaśyakaniryukti, for instance, the Tnk notion is adduced as a theoretical excursus igā. 179-184) justifying the passage from Rşabha's last previous birth to the present one when he will become a T.79 The same verses come again in Mahāvira's case (gā. 451-456 = 179-184) before the account of his birth in Devānanda's family. They are also quoted in the Nāyādhammakahão 880 to account for Mahābala's rebirth as a god then as Malli. And Hemacandra proceeds likewise for each of the twenty-four Ts. through stereotyped recurring phrases (Trişaști, ed. III, 1,100; etc.) 81
Though the Tnk-causes do not occur explicitly in the context of utsarpiņi, they probably have to be applied there also. On the other hand, the later literature shows an extension of the field of Tirthampkarahood, as is seen from the Mediaeval Vimfatisthanakacarita (or Vicārāmộtasārasamgraha) by Jinaharşa82 : this work is based on the twentyfold enumeration of the Avasyaka-niryukti. A few introductory verses detail each of the terms; ad hoc stories, all built on the same pattern, unavoidably end with the remark that the heroes will become Ts. in their third rebirths. Whether a name is given to them or not, they have absolutely no link with any of the Ts. found in the mythological lists.88 Here, the intention is merely to illustrate the idea that any layman who observes one or more of the sthānas (.e. one of the many aspects of the Jaina ethics recommended to him) can attain Tirthamkarahood. Thus, through a shift of emphasis, this notion is adapted to the daily didactic purposes of the monks. It is an element of the "marvellous" appealing atmosphere that they have to present to the layman as a possible reward for his good conduct. This is equaliy confirmed by the late religious popular literature in Gujarati and the so-called viša sthānaka ni caityavandand stuti (git, dūhā, etc.), hymns extolling the "twenty causes". 84
3. Notes on Buddhist counterparts.
Theravada Buddhism as handed down in the Pali Canon gives only limited information and refers to Maitreya as the unique coming Buddha who will renew the Teaching®4 (see below (i) and (ii)). But interesting elements may be gleaned from later Theravāda texts such as the Anāgatavamsa85 and the Dasabodhisattuppattikatha R6 (ca. 14th cent. A. D.) which both list the same ten Future Buddhas, as well as from the Mahāyāna tradition which is characterized by the
absence of any limitation in their number, Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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