Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 69

Transvaluation
61
sambī and several queens of the Emperor Śreņika of Magadha became puns and joined the Order.
Dhannā, śālibhadra, Anāthi etc. belonging to the Vaisya community and Sudras like Arjunamāli were also admitted to the monastic Order of Bhagavān Mahāvīra. The Order was open to all castes. When the admission to the Order was open to all castes, how could it not have been open to all classes also ? It admitted the kings as well as the labourers. Bhagavān Mahāvīra initiated them all in the principle of equality and infused them with the egalitarian spirit.
Sometimes, however, the past impressions of casteism and class-consciousness raised their ugly heads in some monks and nuns, and they were disturbed by the conceit generated by them. In that eventuality Bhagavān Malāvīra won them over to equality. Once faced with such a situation he addressed the monks and nuns: "I have propounded the principle of equality. You have accepted its discipline. The pride of caste, family and status creates inegalitarian attitude. You have renounced false pride and have adopted affability. You have abandoned inequality and chosen the attitude of equality. Is it befitting for you to revive the old forsaken attitude ? Try to comprehend that man intoxicated with ego. tism treats others as if they were mere shadows? He insults others. One who adopts an insulting attitude towards others gets lost into the world of adversities.?
"It is true that you have been born in the caste or family of Ugras or Licchavis. But now you have been initiated into an Order based on equality. You have adopted ahińså and live on the alms offered by others. Then why do you feel puffed up ?3 The caste and family cannot provide you any 1. Sūtrakstânga, 1/13/8 :
apnam janam passati bimbabhūyam. 2. Ibid, 1/2/2/2 :
jo paribhavai varam janam, samsāre parivattai maham. 3. Ibid, 1/13/10 :
je māhane khattiya jayae vã, tahuggaputte taha lecchai vā / je pavvaie paradattabhoi, gottena je thabbhai mānabadd he//