Jain Journal 1978 07

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

Page 30

Evolution of Jaina Sangha
J. C. SIKDAR [From January 1978 issue]
PART III
Pre-modern and Modern Jaina Sanghas :
Jaina Sanghas recorded in epigraphs that almost bridge the gap from the pre-modern Jaina Sanghas or Ganas or Gacchas to modern Jaina Sanghas have been in archaeological deposits in India. These pre-modern Jaina Sanghas probably lived too recently to be the parents of modern Jaina Sanghas, but they illustrate the kind of changes by which the transition from the pre-modern Jaina Sanghas to modern Jaina Sanghas was made. They are now regarded as progressive monastic orders adopted for following up right progressive ascetic life on the monastic line from the common parental Sanghas.
One of the early Jaina Sanghas was Nirgrantha Sanghaor Gaccha whose archaeological records are found at Mathura', in Bengals, Kalinga and South India.? It had the capacity of missionary activity. Exploration and excavations during the early 1920's of certain places near Mathura (U.P.), at Pahadpur (Bengal), at Hathigumpha (Kalinga) and in South India and other places have revealed many archaeological remains and records of Jaina monasteries. Among them there were a few Sanghas which belonged to a primitive Sangha of the early century.9 Further explorations and excavations at these places have revealed parts of a
1 See Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pts. I-IV. ? e.g. Tapagaccha, the parent of Lonkagaccha. * Pattavali Samuccaya, Pt. I, p. 45. * See Early Mathura Inscriptions, also Jaina Silalekha Sangraha. 6 See Modern Review, August, 1931, p. 150. 6 Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela, L. 9. ? Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pt. II, pp. 69-70. 8 See Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pts. I-IV. . e.g. Nirgrantha Sangha, Kotika Gana, etc., Varana Gana (Carana Gana),
Vajjanagari Sakha, etc., Majjhimika Sakha, etc. See Inscriptions of Mathura and other places like Hathigumpha and Udayagiri, etc.