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Bhftaraka Tradition
Decline and Revival of the tradition :
Thus the Bhattārakas by means of their personal accomplishments and influence, their devoted services in the execution of their several duties and their significant contributions to the development of culture proved very beneficial and useful to society. Through their own learning and behaviour and with the help of their trained disciples, they not only spread the message of Jainism but also unified the disintegrated Jaina community. Without the introduction of the Bhattārakas the Digambara sect would have hardly survived. But later on the Bhattāraka institution degenerated to such an extent that instead of serving as a force of integration it hastened the disintegration of adherents. In the beginning the field of activities of a Bhattāraka was very wide and he catered to the needs of all Jainas in general. But in course of time his field of activity was restricted to a particular caste of Jainas only and he began to control the religious and social life of that caste. Naturally this widened the gulf between various Jaina castes. In addition, the Bhattārakas slowly became worldly minded, tried to amass wealth and to raise their position by all means, and utterly neglected their religious and social duties. This was the state of decline of the Bhattāraka tradition roughly up to the beginning of the twentieth century.
But in recent years and especially after the attainment of Independence, the Digambara Jainas began to think seriously whether to discard the Bhattāraka institution altogether or to retain it by giving it a new shape to suit the changed circumstances. The general opinion moved in favour of reviving the institution because a religious preceptor was considered necessary to look after the spiritual and cultural life of the people. It was felt that if the Bhattārakas, who are well educated and who wish to lead a strictly religious life, are appointed and recognised not as the heads of particular castes but as organisers, propagators and preceptors of the Digambara Jaina sect, then not only the Digambaras would be united by closing their rift between the Bisapanthis and the Terāpanthis but also they would be benefitted in the long run by diverting the large estates of the Bhattārakas to various religious and social purposes.
As this reformist view point gained ground, the process began to adjust the system of Bhattārakas to the needs of modern times. The seats of the Bhattārakas are not now so strictly restricted to the members of particular castes alone but are meant for all Jainas of the region. Accordingly the activities of the Bhattārakas are now carried out for the benefit of all Jainas. The Bhattārakas are also trying to improve their accomplishments through modern education and to adopt new means to spread the message of Jainism. The existing Bhattārakas in 1969 started a new organization known as “Bhațţäraka Sammelana "to coordinate their various activities. In this regard it is pertinent to note that for the first time in the history of the institution, the Bhattārakas of Sravagabelgola, Mūdabidri and Humach
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