________________
578
S. B. DEO
qualified hierarchy, and a planned curriculum of studies. The monks seem to have come in contact with the society more now than in the previous phase, which resulted in the change of some of the practices of monachism.
It may, however, be noted that fundamentals of religion and Jaina ethics remained unchanged.
Post-Canonical Period:
In this phase, the monks came in contact with the society still more which led to the slackening of practices. Even though rules of monastic life remained unchanged in theory, in actual practice there crept in a remarkable divergence.
Order of Nuns:
The nuns always remained subordinate to the monks not only regarding seniority but also in the execution of monastic jurisprudence.
With all that, they have played a very important role in the organisation of the female Jaina laity which is known for its orthodox traditional outlook.
Monachism from Epigraphs:
Along with the references to certain incidents in the history of Jaina monachism, the epigraphs confirm more or less, slack observance of discipline in the later phases of Jaina monachism.
They, moreover, reveal a number of regional units like the Sanghas and the Gacchas in the Digambara and the Svetämbara Church.
They also throw light on the nature of the people who were the supporters of the Jaina Church in various periods, and tend to reveal the hybrid composition of the laity within the framework of several castes.
Social Impacts:
Inspite of the crusade against ritualism and caste-system of the orthodox Brahmanism, later Jaina Church was full of the same items more or less on the Brähmanical system.
Moreover, there were several occasions when Jaina monachism under social pressure had to undergo a change in its rules of monastic life.
Cultural Contribution of Jaina Monachism:
With ahimsa and four other principles, the rules of Jaina monachism have been unique as "a code of morals" playing a distinctly softening and peaceful role in the making of Indian culture.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
