History of Jaina Monachism

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

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S. B. DEO Later Digambara Works :
Inspite of this vagueness about the Digambara Canon, there arose a number of scholars among them who enriched their literature from all points of view.
The names of writers like Kundakunda, Umāsvāti and Vattakera, we have already noted. Later scholars like Siddhasena Divākara, Samantabhadra, Akalañka, Prabhācandra, Jinasena, Amitagati, Nemicandra, Aśādhara and others have also played their part in producing a literature upholding the Digambara views. Non-Jaina Sources:
It may be observed here that the history of Jaina monachism cannot be based solely on Jaina sources, even though they are of fundamental help in this matter. Many points in them need corroboration from texts of other contemporary faiths like Buddhism and Brāhmanism.
Apart from corroboration, these latter sources also supplement the information in many cases pertaining to Jaina monachism.
One thing, however, may be noted while handling these resources. The accounts of rival faiths are generally twisted and exaggerated. A careful synchronisation, therefore, is necessary while dealing with the Jaina and nonJaina sources.
A study of such synchronisation reveals a wonderful picture of action and reaction not only between the different sects, but also between the social environments. Each sect either kept fast to the traditions inspite of social pressure or bent before it.
The non-Jaina resources are mainly two and they are as under: (a) The Buddhist Sources:
The importance of the Buddhist sources may be said to be more than that of Brāhmanical ones, inasmuch as, these two faiths reveal many identities between themselves.
Both these monachisms originated in the eastern parts of India, both were led by the Ksatriya princes who were more or less contemporaries, and both were unhesitatingly against Brāhmanical ritualism and the supremacy of the priest class.
With this common basis and the added element of contemporaneity, Buddhist texts furnish us with many references regarding Jaina tenets and monastic practices. The Dĩgha Nikaga, Majjhima Nikāga, Anguttara Nikaya and Mahāvagga contain valuable information regarding the Nātaputta (Mahāvīra) which we shall study later on. The Thera and the Therīgāthas, reveal a