Atmanandji Jainacharya Janmashatabdi Smarakgranth

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Atmanand Janma Shatabdi Smarak Trust

Page 218

Dr. Hoernle's Letters
1. In a pattavali of the Digambaras, I find the term Nandiämnàya ( HTF ). It applies to the Nandi Sangha or Saraswati Gachchha. What is the exact meaning of the word ámnaya ( far ) ?
2. The same pattavali comments thus: अथ वंशाधिकार प्रथम पट्टावली विषै Yui HET FT 1 What is the meaning of this ? and what is a Kulkara ( 35€), and what are the names of the 14 Kulakaras ?
3. I learn that there are (4) four sanghas among the Digambaras 1, the Nandi Sangha ; 2, Vrishabha Sangha; 3, Simha Sangha; 4, Deva Sangha. I have got a pattavali of the Nandi Sangha; but not of the three others. Could the Muni procure for me copies of the pattavalis of those ( Vrishabha, Simha and Deva Sangha ) ?
4. In one of his replies the Muni informed me, that among the Swetāmbaras there is a Paschand Gachchha and also an Anchaliya Gachchha. Would the Muni be good enough to procure for me copies of the pattavalis of those two Gachchhas ?
5. A certain Rev. Shoolbred delivered some time ago a lecture on Jainism in England. In it there occur the following passages.
I “The Jains seem to have made timely concessions to the Brāhmans which still crop out in peculiarities of their ritual. Not the least marked of these is that not its own priesthood, but Brāhmans generally minister in the Jain temples, and perform the marriage and other religious ceremonies among the members of the sect."
II “ The entire Jain communilty is divided into 84 Gachchhas or families. But all of these are again comprised under two great divisions or sects : The Swetambaras and Digambaras. These denominations are believed to date from the two founders of the faith Pārsvanath and Mahāvira. The former is said to have worn one white sheet round his person, & the latter to have dispensed with dress altogether. The Digambara priests do not now go naked, but lay aside their clothes only at meals.”
III “ The Jain priesthood proper are called Jatis. They are vowed to celibacy and a religious life and although not ministering in temples, they read in these the sacred books of their faith and are in return supported by the gifts of the laity. Such, at least, ought to be their position and character. But for centuries the Jatis have more or
Shatabdi Granth ]
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