History of Jaina Monachism

Author(s): S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute

Page 18

CHAPTER II
THE SOURCES FOR THE STUDY OF JAINA MONACHISM
There are still many gaps to be filled and problems to be solved in the history of India. Therefore, a fully documented and a chronological account of the political and cultural life in India is yet a desideratum.
Role of religious sects :
Inspite of this "temporary vagueness of (historical) outline, as of things half-seen and processes half-realised”, the role of different religious systems and monastic congregations was by no means a minor one. It may be said that they formed the very backbone of Indian life.
Evolutionary nature of Jaina Monachism:
Amongst these monastic institutions, Jaina monachism played a great role. And that too because it was never a static institution, though predominantly a conservative one. It did react to internal and external forces, and its history is mainly an account of this reaction and adjustment to or defiance towards changing environments. What Dr. DUTT says with regard to Buddhist monachism may aptly be remarked with reference to Jaina monachism as well. "Buddhist monasticism”, he remarks, “has been, like all other historic institutions, the result of a gradual process, changing under pressure of its sociological environments and its own inner principle of evolution".2
The Role of Modern Research :
A time was when this evolution and reaction could not be noticed for want of sufficient research regarding Jainism. The element of mystery and an appearance of ideological inertia attributed to different monachisms in India are rapidly fading away before the light of modern research and we are now, perhaps, in a better position of attempting to pronounce a more clear judgment on some matters than some of the pioneers in the past could do.
1. DUTT, Early Buddhist Monachism, p. 1. 2. Ibid.