JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Towards the end of third age when the process of fast deterioration of "Bhogabhumi" was continuing, there had been one after the other fourteen Kultaras (Manas) who guided the people how to live peacefully by overcoming the natural difficulties. The last of them was Nabhiraya whose wife Marudevi gave birth to Rushbha - the first Tirthankara or Jina (expounder of religion). He was followed by twenty-three other Jinas who came one after the other in the fourth age at intervals varying in duration. Krishna of Bhagaratgita is also the hero of the "Harivanshapurana" and "Pandavapurana" of Jains. He was a first cousin of Jina Neminath (Aris- tanemi).
The 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha who was the greatest leader of the "Shramana" cult was born at Varansi in 877 B.C. and attained Nirvana at Mt. Sammet Shikhasji (Parasnath Hill in Bilar) in 777 B.C. He revived the teachings of the earlier Tirthankaras in a very forceful manner and probably codified main points of Jaina doctrines. During this time, Upanishad philosophy and the vedic sacrifices seem to have faced the forceful teachings of Parshva. The influence of his teachings appear to have reached part of central Asia, Greece. The Jaina faith under Parshva continued to flourish up until Mahavira's time in 6th Century B.C. when, again, Jaina philosophy underwent a change with a fresher and newer dimension.
them was 100 to 116 years. Bhadrabuhu-I was the last of them. Soon after Bhadrabahu-I, the scriptural-knowledge of ascetics continued gradual diminution and deterioration. About the 2nd Century B.C., the Jain emperor Kharvela invited a council at Udaigiri-Khandgisi hills in Kalinga (Orrisa) for rehabilitation and preserving the Jaina scripture. This was attended largely by the ascetics from the South and those from Mathura (North). The result was reaction of some important portions of the original canon were preserved in their circle and also compiled many treatises directly based on the original teachings of Lord Mahavira. The chief ascetics involved in this great work were BhadrabahuII, Kundakunda, Gunadhara, Dharsena and Umasivami. In the middle of the 5th Century, under the leadership of Devarddhigani, another reaction of the canons took place.
ized Buddhism, ascended the throne, Then Samprati (220-211 B.C.) was appointed Ashoka's successor. Samprati became a powerful monarch, and he was a great patron of Jainism. Srayanabelagola in South India, local traditions speak of the fact that the ancient temple on Chandragiri was built by Samprati to show respect to Srutakeralin Bhadrabahu and his great-grandfather Chundragupta.
At about 150 B.C., Kharavela, emperor of Kalinga, and at about 57 B.C., Vikramaditya, King of Ujjain, were other well known Jain Royals. Amoghavarsha-I (815-877 A.D.) of Rastrakuta dynasty and several of his successors were the followers of Jainism. Under the patronage of Chalukyas, Kalchuris and Hoyasalas, Jainism also maintained its growth and position for long. Jaina monarch Kumarpala built famous temples - Delwada Jain Temples at Mt. Abu (Rajasthan).
Jainism in the Community of
World Religions:
The Royal Patronage:
Jainism After Mahavira:
In the past couple of hundred years and recently, Jainism has made an unprecedented appearance in the community of world religions. Canonical writings have been researched, studied, and scholars have written extensively in both western languages and the Indian In this regard, the works of - Jacobi, Hoernle, Leuman, C.R. Jain, J.L. Jain, Cakravarti, S.A. Jain, A.N. Upadhye, Ghasal, Jyobi Prasad Jain, Kawata Sastri, Dalsukh Malvania, Y.J. Padmarajaih, P.S. Jaini, Sogani - are some of the important ones.
Equally the Jain Ascetics who have awakened the masses with their spiritual thought are: Mimi Shanti Sagar, Kshullak Ganes Prasad Ji Varni, Kshu Manoharlal Ji Varni, Kshu Jinendra Varni, Br. Kanji Swami, Upadhyaya Amar Muni, Acharya Ji Tulsi, Acarya Vidyandadi Ji Muni Vidya Sagar Ji, Acarya Padmasagarji, etc.
From Mahavira's time to the Magadhan King Bimsira (Shrenik) and his successor Ajatshatru and Udavi were the followers of Jainism till about the 5th Century B.C. Then Nadas became the rulers of Magadha. About 325 B.C. Chandraqupta Maurya (325-302 B.C.) ousted the Nanda and became a powerful monarch. He was a staunch follower to Jainisin and is said to have become a disciple of the celebrated Jain Pontiff Bhadrabahu. At about 297 B.C., he abdicated the throne, crowned his son Bindusara and became a Jain monk and ended his life by fasting unto death on Chandragisri Hill at Schravanbelgola in South India.
On Bindusars's decease, his son Ashoka (2447-237 B.C.), who patron
After Mahavira's Nirvana, Indrabhuti Gautam, the Chief "Ganadhara" (pontift) headed the Jaina congregation for the next 12 years, followed by "Sudharma" (12 years) and "Jambu" (38 years), all the three being Kevalins (omniscient). Then came, one after the other, five "Shrut-Kewalis" who pos- sessed full scriptural knowledge but did not attain omniscience (the status of Kevali). The total period covered by
id
"Hindu culture is a part of Indian culture. Jain and Buddhist cultures are also
Indian. They are not (parts of) Hindu culture."
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Prime Minister of India (1947-1964) 7TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION - JULY 1993
Jain Education Intemational