Jain Journal 1975 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 14

10
state religion of Kalinga during the rule of king Kharavela 34 in the second century B.C. or the first century B.C.
Gurus, Acaryas and Bhattarakas 35 are mentioned in many kingly edicts from the early centuries. Great donations of lands and real estate to Jaina Cloisters took place at various times36. However, only since the second or third Century B.C. and onwards it has been unambiguously clear that this concerns the Jainistic Cloisters in large numbers particularly in South India.
JAIN JOURNAL
As pointed out, Candragupta Maurya37 personally joined the Jaina monastic order under Bhadrabahu and went to the South by abdicating his throne in favour of his son Bindusara and attained death at Sravana Belgola by observing saṁlekhana tapa. Thus he set an example to his subjects for their guidance as a Jaina missionary.
The Jaina monastic organization was and always remained correctly Jainistic-Svetambara and Digambara in India, although many branches cropped up from it as its modifications or like adventitious buds of a plant. After the novitiate (Seha) the monk is received as Antevāsī and Samanera or Khuddaka, and after having proven himself in about six months or four months or a week 38 during which time he dedicates himself merely as an Antevāsi (or prelimiary) in the Sangha to the spiritual exercises fit for confirmation 39, he becomes a full monk from the state of Antevas?40 and acquires qualification to englighten others as a Guru.
The Jaina Jurisprudence indicates that the principle of grading the dignity and titles of monks, according to seniority, even then was just as correctly practised in the Ages of the Tirthankaras41 in agreement with the ancient Brahmanical principle. Accordingly the Jaina monksSvetambara and Digambara were honoured by the title of Guru, Acarya, Upadhyaya, etc. and Muni, Bhattaraka, etc.42 respectively. Their
34 See Kharavela's Inscription, Dr. D. C. Sircar, Select Inscriptions, pp. 206-13. 35 Jaina Silalekha Samgraha, Parts. I-IV.
36 Ibid.
87 Jaina Silalekha Samgraha, part I, No. 105.
38 Thananga, p. 129.
* Uvatthavana, Thananga, p. 240 a.
40 Nayadhamma, p. 163; it is said, according to Thananga's Commentary, p. 242 "guroh samipe vastum silamasyantevasi”.
41 All the Tirthankaras had Ganadharas and other monks of various gradations according to the Agamas. See Sthaviravali, Kalpasutra.
43 See Jaina Pattavalis; Jaina Silalekha Samgraha, I-IV. Pattavalis of Bhattaraka Sampradaya, etc.