Compendium of Jainism

Author(s): T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar

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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
confirmed by a Kannada work ‘Munivamsābbyudaya' by a poet called Cidānandakavi who wrote his work in 1680 A. D.
The historicity of this event has been doubted by some scholars. R. Narasimhacharya has referred to Dr. Leumnn as saying that the migration to the South is "the initial fact of the Digamber tradition'. Dr Hoernle after a critical examination of the Jaina pattāvalis or the lists of succession of Gurus, says: “Before Bhadrabāhu, the Jain community was undivided; with him, the Digambaras separated from the Svetāmbaras.... The Digambara separation originally took place as a result of the migration southwards under Bhadrababu in consequence of a severe famine in Bihar, the original home of the undivided Jaina community”.3 R. Narasimhacharya opines that the Jaina tradition may be accepted as a working hypothesis until the contrary is proved by future research.4 S. R. Sharna has stated that “the conclusion of the late Dr. V. A. Smith, regarding the possibility of the persistent tradition about Chandragupta Maurya having accompanied Bhadrabahu (the last of the Jaira Śrutakevalin) to Mysore and died there by Sallekhanā may be accepted without more ado."'5 Recent researches have not brought out to light any contrary evidence.
The Svetāmbara tradition has two versions about the division of the community: (1) Bhadrabāhu went to Nepal and remained there engaged in meditation. During his absence, Sthūlabhadra called an assembly of all followers and the canonical texts of the twelve Angas. The Digambras did not accept the authenticity of the scriptures, as they believed that the original texts were lost long ago. So there was a division in the community. (2) There was a monk by name Sivabhūti. Prior to his initiation, he was in the service of a king. When he accepted asceticism, the King gave some beautiful clothes including a blanket. Sivabhūti's Guru asked him to throw away those clothes as their possession would involve attachment to property. Sivabhūti declined to do so. Then the Guru himself tore those clothes. Sivabhuti got angry, separated from his master and started a new sect of the Svetāmbaras.