Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Esseoce of Jainism
Nirgrantha Cult is Jainism : Some Proofs
In the ancient times, in most of the śramana traditions, the words used generally for the preceptor or the recluse were these Sramana, Bhikṣu, Anagära, Yati, Sädhu, Tapasvj, Pariyrājaka, Ashanta, Jina, Tirthankara etc. The Jain cult, like the Bauddha and Ājivaka, also uses these very words for its preceptors. But there is one word which the Jain cult and only the Jain cult has used right from the beginning in its history for its preceptors. The word is Nirgrantha ( Prakrit Niggantha-Acārānga 1.2, 1.108 ) according to Jain Agamas; Nirgrantha is 'Niggantha' according to the Bauddha Pițakas. We can state even to this extent that io no tradition except the Jaina has the word Nirgrantha' become prominent or conventional, That is the reason why the Jaina scriptures are known as “Nigganthapa yavana', i.e., Nirgranthapravacana'. In no other cult is this word used for the scriptures.
The relation that persists between the Nirgrantha cult as stated in the Agamas with the Bauddba Pițakas is not to be found with the Vedic or Paurāṇika traditions. These are its reasons. (i) The Jain and Bauddha cults being Śramaņa cults, there is a
fraternal relation between the two, (ii) The promulgator of the Bauddha cult and the last promulgator
of the Nirgrantha cult Lord Mahāvira, were contemporaries, Again, they passed their lives in the same or similar sphere, Their sphere of activity was, not only one region but one city, one street and just one family. The followers of both were used to meeting each other now and again and used to discuss, in a friendly or challenging manner, the preachings and conduct of their respected preceptors. There were so many followers who changed their loyalty from one cult to the other, This happened as if the followers of Buddha and Mabavira were very close neighbours or family members. It should be conceded that this happened as if so many members of the same
family held different beliefs as it is seen even to-day. (iii) Buddha and his contemporary pupils have described so many
matters of the Nirgrantha cult as if they were eye-witnesses, even though the description might be only incidental and critical.