Jain Journal 1977 10

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

Page 38

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sangha 28, Mathura Sangha 29, etc. and Devagana30, Senagana31, Nandigana32, Desiyagana33, Balatkaragana34, etc.
The part of Rajasthan plus Gujarat upto Bombay makes up Western area of Jaina Sangha. The different gacchas, such as, Upakesagaccha35. Kahratagaccha36, Tapagaccha37, Lonkagaccha 38, Sthanakavasin39, Terapanthin etc., live mainly in this region.
Inner region of Jaina Sangha included some southern parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesha, the Vindhyas and some parts of Northern Maharastra. Outstanding features of Jaina Sangha peculiar to it are the existence of both the Svetambara and Digambara sects with a sort of sectarian antagonism.
The sixth and last area of Jaina Sangha called North-Western area included some parts of Marudesa and ancient Sindhu-Sauvira. The imaginary dividing line between Western region and North-Western area of Jaina Sangha which separates Rajasthan's Sirohi district goes through Mount Abu and then passes east of Kesaria or Ranakpur.
JAIN JOURNAL
Local Sanghas to North-Western area are Upakesagaccha, Kharataragaccha, etc. The question why certain Jaina Sanghas, ganas, gacchas, etc. are present in one region but are excluded from another in which they are well adapted to survive and in which they flourish when introduced by the Jainacaryas can be explained only by their evolutionary history.
28 Ibid., p. 14, JSS., Pt. III, No. 756, p. 579.
29 JSS., Pt. IV, No. 265, p. 115, etc.
30
JSS, Pt. II, No. 114, p. 104, etc.
31
Silalekha, Somasena, Lekhanka, 21, Vide Bhattaraka Sampradaya, p. 10.
32 Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pt. I. No. 32, p. 34, etc.
36
33
JSS.,Pt. I. No. 55, p. 121, etc.
34
Uttarapurana Tippana, No. L. 87, Vide Bhattaraka Sampradaya, p. 39. 35 Pattavali Samuccaya, Pt. I, pp. 185-88.
Kharataragaccha Pattavali, Pts. I. II. II.
37
Tapagaccha Pattavali.
38 See Pattavali Samuccaya, Pt. I. pp. 66-71, 156-7, 172.
See Notes on Sthanakavasina, Kesharichand Bhandari, Indore, 1911.
Jaina Sramana Sangha-ka Itihas, p. 108.
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To be continued