Jain Journal 1977 01

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

Page 37

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JAIN JOURNAL
First Era of Jaina Sangha ;
The oldest era of early Jaina Sangha did not begin with the origin of Jaina-dharma at the time of Rsabhadeva, but with the formation of the crust of the Vatarasana Mur is74 although the Jaina tradition gives an account of his Sangha in the Kalpasūtra in its own mythological manner. 75 This era lasted about some thousands of years, if the historicity of Rsabhadeva is accepted, till the age of Parasvanatha, a historical personage. Apparently it was marked by widespread dynamic activity and deepseated social upheavals which later on climaxed in the raising of social, economic, political and religious super-structures during the time of Mahavira and his successors78 in the known historical periods.
Second Era :
The second era, more than 250 years in length, which began with Parsvanatha, was characterized by the assembly of large numbers of Parsvapatya monks of the Nirgrantha tradition, as it is evidenced in both the Jaina?? and Buddhist texts.78 The evidences show that the evolution of Jaina Sangha bad proceeded quite far before the end of the era upto the time of Mahavira when the unification or rather the merging of the assembly of 500 Parsvapatya monks under Kesi with that of Mahavira took place as a result of clarification and mutual understanding of different religious question like căturyāma dharma of Parsvantha and panca mahāvratas of Mahavira, sāmāyika dharma, sacelakatva, acelakatva, etc.79 in their ascetic life. Besides, many other-Parsvapatyas and monks belonging to other sects joined the Sanghas of Mahavira.80
Third Era :
This era began with Mahavira who introduced some reforms in the ethical principles and conduct of Nirgrantha-dharma and placed it on
74 See Rg. Veda, 10. 136, 2-3; Nyayamanjari, Jayanta Bhatta, Kashi Edition, p. 247;
Nyayamanjari granthibhangah, edited by Dr. Naginbhai Shah, p. 14. 76 See Kalpasutra for the life-account of Rsabhadeva.
See all the Angas and Upangas and other canonical works including Kalpasutra,
etc. for the life of Mahavira and his successors. 77 Bhagavati Sutra, 1.9.76; 5.9.226, 9.32. 371; 9.32 378; 9. 32. 379; 2. 5. 110;
Sutrakrtanga, 2. 7. 68, 71, 72, 81; Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23. 32. 78 Dighanikaya, Pt. I, Samanna phalasutta, refers to the Nirgantha sect which was
flourishing before the rise of Buddhism. 79 Uttaradhyayana Sutra 23 80 Bhagavati Sutra, 1. 9. 76; 5.9. 226; 2. 5. 110, etc. Sutrakrtanga, 71. 7. 68, 69, 71,
72, 81.