Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

Page 135

Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
the main priest of sompur Vihar, who went to Tibet from Bengal for the propagation of Buddhism. An article of Tamrapatra of the Gupta Period has been traced from this Paharpur. It gives us first hand knowledge of the fact that a couple gifted land to a Jaina Sraman Guhanand for the construction of an abbey named Bat Gohali. We get detailed description of Jambudev in the article. It also denotes the placements of temples and stupas related to Jambuswami. It is said that during the reign of 2nd ruler Maharaj Dharmapal of the Pala Dynasty, this Vihar was popularly known as Maha Buddha Vihar of Sompur. But according to the Prabhandh Kosh, Gaur was the capital of Bengal and Dharma was the ruler of Lakshmanavati city of Gaur. King Dharma loved and respected Jain Acharya Pappabhatti for his profound knowledge. Kaviraj Vakpati was also a man of qualities, in his court. Kalhan has also described the details in his book history of Kashmir.
Acharya Bappabhatt Suri was very influential Jain Acharya in his contemporary times. His religions activities were not only confined in a particular region, but also in various directions. He brought back to life the ancient stupas of Mathura. The ruler of Kannauj, Aam was deeply influenced by him and wanted him to stay with him. But Bappabhatt Suri left the place and reached Bengal and Dharmapal's intent desire, he settled there. He achieved the title of 'vadikunjarkesri' by defeating the Buddhist scholar in a debate. Many important incidents took place in his life. Moreover, we get a detailed report of his biography from the history of Kashmir, during the reign of King Lalitaditya Muktapith.
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We get the description of Jina temples built by emperor Lalitaditya. Which shows........ the influence of B. B. Suri on the king. It is thoroughly and evidently revealed in 'Rajtarangini' about the emperor Latitaditya "The king who was free from passions build the ever rich Raj Vihara with a large quadrangle a large chaitya and a large image of the Jina."
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A detailed description of Acharya Bappabhatt Suriji in his courtyard and the narration of the Jina idols and images --is a matter of thorough research.
Among the Bengali scholars, in the 11th century, a writer named 'Advay Braj' of Vajrayan Branch was famous as 'Avadhuti Pa' in Tibet. A poem containing twenty slokas popularly known as 'Mayaniryukti' composed by him was obtained. The writer lived at Devikot of Northern Bengal. This region is considered as the Ancient Pilgrimage Kotapur. Prof. H.P. Shastri mentioned about an ascetic in the translated work of 'Mayaniryukti'. He wrote that a true ascetic is the one who leads his life with tough religious austerity and sacrifice. Advay Braj was from sompur of Bihar which initially was a Jain Vihar. It seems that while composing the poem, he had a clear conception of the principles and religious vows of Shramanas. Prof. Chitta Ranjan Pal elaborated the following comments on this--"So we may
conclude without hesitation that Advayavajra in depiction the characteristics of true Yogins or ascetics had before him the portrait of the 'Jinakalpi' or advanced life and who were, perhaps, very numerous at 'Devakota / Devikota" at Kotivarsa Visaya in the bhukti of
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