ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 79

consciousness can also be the collectivization of the consciousness of the individuals who make the society. Thus Jainism puts self improvement as the core value for its followers. Therefore, there can be differences in different Jain groups based on the religious practices followed at times totally appearing to be influenced by the dominating religion of the region), economic and other engagements of the individuals as well as their own inclinations to pursue the Jain doctrine or prescribed code of conduct. This leads to differences of practicing Jainism or leading their life as members of the immediate community /society they live in, say amongst Jains of different sects, of different regions of India and now overseas Jains, without undermining the pārlaukika religion /Jain samaya and keeping the same in mind to test the validity of their actions /behaviour.
It will be interesting to note that all Jain t rtha karas*** were ordinary persons when born (as against reincarnation of God in other religions); lived the life as ordinary persons even though born in rich families, has clairvoyant knowledge even at the time of birth and created an impact on society they lived in before accepting renunciation and attain omniscience and t rtha kara status ultimately. Similarly the later preceptors also made significant efforts to bring in newer interpretations of Jain doctrine for laity to keep them focussed on their prlaukika dharma while practising laukika dharma and be good social citizens. In this paper we shall study the first and latest (24) t rtha karas, some preceptors of 2nd to 12th century and modern preceptors and religious leaders (laity) to see how they readjusted the social consciousness of Jains to meet the social needs of their times.
2. din th/ abha 17 The end of third r of the avasarpi period known as (Happy-Unhappy) was approaching resulting in decreasing potency of the wish fulfilling tress (kalpavraksa) which provided all the necessities of human beings without their making any effort. The twins born to parents who lived as brother sister and became husband wife later on was also approaching an end. They started of thinking and trying to live as tribes with occasional fights erupting between them and others. Further there were some signs of development of mental faculties amongst them, becoming inquisitive about the changes taking place. In the modern technological time we can roughly describe this as the stone-age. In philosophical terms we say the end of the period of enjoyment (bhoga) was approaching. People used to live carefree lives and no work to do. They were grouped as kulas and the chief of the kula was called kulakara. There are fourteen famous kulakaras of whom N bhi Raj was the ruling kulkara at that time.
+++ Trtha karas (fordmakers. Ref Jain Sidd nta abda Ko a Vol2, pages 371– A person who destroys all k mika impurities (cause of transmigration) himself and leads others to attain the same status is known as t rtha kara. Every time cycle has twenty four t rtha karas. Generally they are born as human beings to become t rtha kara from their previous life as heavenly being of superior status. From birth they are possessed of clairvoyance knowledge and show extraordinary characteristics in their life prior to renunciation and then after attaining the trio of omniscience, flawless (absence of all types of flaws like hunger, thirst, pains of any kind etc) and delivering sermon of spiritual beneficence to others. They show exemplary capabilities to resolve social problems in their life prior to renunciation and then until they attain omniscience. After omniscience they show the path of liberation only.
Time wise, the fourth r , i.e. beginning of the period of effort (karmayuga) and end of era of enjoyment (bhoga yuga) is the period during which the twenty four t rtha karas are born. In the present time cycle Lord din this the first t rtha karas and Lord Mah vira is the 24 t rtha karas
abha was born to N bhi and his wife Meru Devi. There was overall happiness and peace prevailing at the time of his birth. abha started displaying exemplary qualities since early children and became an object of adoration by all while growing to be a young boy / man. As he was born with superior qualities like clairvoyant knowledge, charming and strong body etc, N bhi started directing the persons who came for problem resolution to abha. abha used to solve their problems fast and to their satisfaction. When abha became an adult, his father married him to two beautiful and virtuous girls named Sunand and Sumangal . Sumangal (or Ya aswati as per dipur na and Digambar Jain's story literature) gave birth to Bharat (who became the first sovereign emperor) and ninety eight more sons plus daughter Br hmi while Sunand gave birth to B hubali and daughter Sundari. abha is referred as Praj pati (lord or leader of the masses).
He is credited as the forerunner of modern day society, establishing work culture, form of governance, social systems and ultimately renounced all his worldly longings in favour of his sons to attain omniscience and
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0