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Xürcaka Sangha, Kāşthā Sangha, Nanditata Gaccha, Māthura Gaccha, and Lādavāgada Gaccha. Till date all the past ācāryas have been from these religious organizations only.
Ācārya Guņadhara - He was a scholar of the third chapter, titled Pejjadosa Pāhuda, of the fifth subtle canon (Pūrva) called Jñāna Pravāda. Besides this he also had knowledge of Mahākamma Payadi Pāhuda. He wrote a book Pejjadosa Pāhuda having 233 verses. This is the most authentic work on Theory of Karma.
Arhadbali - He was also known as Guptisāgara. He lived in Pundravardhanapura and was a scholar of Aștānga Mahānimitta (science of augury). Every five years he invited ascetics from all around up to a distance of 100 yojanas (a yojana is eight miles) for Yuga pratikramaņa (critical review of activities of past five years). At the time of the Yuga pratikramana held on the banks of Venna River in Andhra State he divided the large Müla Sangha into granthas (smaller groups) for ease of management and discipline. Some of these are - Nandi, Vīra, Aparājita, Deva, Pañcastūpa, Sena, Bhadra and Gunadhara. For this contribution he is called the propagator of Muni Sangha (ascetic organization)
Ācārya Dharasena - He did his meditational practices in the Candraguhā cave in Giranāra hills. He was a scholar of Astādaśa Mahānimitta (a work on science of augury). He was also a scholar of the fourth chapter, Mahāpraksti, of the fifth section, Vastu, of Agrāyaṇī Purva (subtle canon). Realizing that he was approaching the end of his life-span he wrote a letter to the ascetic organization assembled at the time of the aforesaid Yuga Pratikramaņa to send two of their most intelligent ascetics for studies to him. The ascetic organization accordingly sent two very intelligent, scholarly and humble ascetics to him. He taught them Mahākarmapraksti and other works. The only work to his credit is Yoni Pāhuda, which is now not available.
Ācārya Pușpadanta and Bhūtabalī – There was a famous king named Nahapāna of the Kśaharāta clan. He was the ruler of Vasundharā City in the Vambhi State. In the year 69 A. D. he was defeated in a battle by Sātkarņi, the son of Gautami. He made a peace treaty, gave his kingdom to his son-in-law Rşabhadeva, went to Ācārya Arhadbalī and got initiated along with merchant Subuddhi. These two later became
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