Jain Journal 1978 07

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

Page 34

JULY, 1978
The next stage of Jaina culture shows important advance over rural culture. The new age of Jaina culture originated in the western India somewhere between Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is characterized by works which bear the marks of careful study and the beginning of a new era of agriculture and industry. 29
27
Jaina Sanghas or Ganas or Gacchas gradually changed from a wandering life to a settled life, living in upāśrayas 30 and vasathis.31 The increase in the food supply (i.e. bhikṣā) of the laities led to the increase in the size of Jaina Sangha or Sanghas. With the new age Jaina Sanghas entered into the modern age which was initiated by them, mastering the teachings of theology from all Indian religious sources. 32
The Present Jaina Sanghas:
The differences between the various Jaina Sanghas living to-day are just as those between a number of other related Jaina Sanghas, generally regarded as different Gacchas. However, since all modern Jaina Sanghas are inter-communicative as far as any one knows. The qualities which distinguish Jaina Sanghas or Ganas or Gacchas are physical and monastic, similar to but smaller than those distinguishing the members of the large categories.
It should be clear by now that ultimately all the present Jaina Sanghas had a common origin33 and that probably there is no such thing as a pure original Jaina Sangha at present. Further more any particular quality, such as, Sangha colour (characteristic), varies tremendously with each Jaina Sangha or Gana or Gaccha so that a monk of one Sangha or Gana or Gaccha may have a different insignia, e.g. rajaharaṇa, as a typical insignia of a Svetambara monks and a mayūrapicchi (broom of peacock's
29 "In this western part of India there are Jaina agriculturists and industrialists. From the very beginning the Jainas took much interest in improved method of agriculture along with other communities. But they advanced more in the field of industry with the advent of the Europeans in collaboration with them." 30 Upasrayas are built by the Svetambara laities for their monks.
31 Vasathis are built by the Digambara laities for their monks.
32 It is clearly revealed in the works of Ac. Pujyapada, Ac. Akalanka and Ac. Vidyanandin, Ac. Hemacandra, etc.
33 All Jaina Sanghas living at present trace their origin to the Tirtha or Sangha of Mahavira. It is natural that Tirtha or Sangha of Mahavira evolved into various branches, sub-branches, etc. after his demise upto the present day in different forms and still they continue to evolve with the march of time.