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PART III
CHAPTER I
THE ANGAS AND THE MÜLASŪTRAS
Introduction :
Accepting the generally approved opinion of the scholars regarding the comparatively greater antiquity of the Angas and the Mülasutras over and above the rest of the texts of the Svetambara Canon, as well as the high esteem shown by the Digambaras to the titles and similar classification of these texts and traditions regarding their antiquity, an attempt is made in this chapter to present the picture of, perhaps, the earliest phase of Jaina monachism.
The different facets of monastic life are studied item by item.
The Angas and the Mülasūtras of the Svetāmbara canon refer to several congregations of monks that moved from place to place during the eight months of the year. Not only their leader Mahāvīra, but his immediate disciples also led a wandering life with a vast number of their own disciples. Their chief mission was to instruct the people regarding the tenets of pure life which was a step towards escaping the cycle of transmigration.
CHURCH: Persons not qualified to enter the Order :
The monks were persons of high moral standard and self-control. To maintain this standard, certain qualifications were expected of those wishing to join the order, even though church life was proclaimed to be open to all, irrespective of caste or status.2
1. Ajja Suhamma wandered with his five hundred disciples : Naya. pp. 1,220; "Dhammaghosă nāma therä ... bahuparivārā', ibid., p. 163; 'Therā samosadhā parisă niggaya', Ibid. p. 198.
2. Citta and Sambhūta: Cāņdālas, Uttar. Chapt. 13; Robbers entering the order, Ibid. Chapt. 8.
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