Jain Journal 1984 07

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

Page 28

JULY, 1984
ing some insight into the general nature of phenomenon which we are studying in this place.
The measure of the mutation of early Nirgrantha communities into Samghas will be given by the difference between the two kinds of societies
-Svetambara and Digambara, 27 now that exist side by side. Hitherto, we have taken this difference for granted. Our next step is to look for the features in which it resides.
This difference does not consist in the presence or absence of institutions of the two societies, for we find that institutions, being the vehicles of the impersonal relations of the whole Jaina Samgha, and therefore common properties of the two societies--Svetambara and Digambara. Early Nirgrantha societies had their own characteristic institutions and some of these institutions were certainly as elaborated.
Nor are the new Jaina Samghas distinguished from early Jaina societies by division of Jaina Samgha into two main schools, for, through, in general, this plays a more important part in their lives and its importance tends to increase as they grow. We can discern at least the rudiments of the division of Samgha in the lives of early Jaina Schools.
To be continued
37 The division of Jaina Samgha into the Svetambara and Digambara sects in
79 or 82 A.D. according to the two Jaina traditions-Digambara and Svetambara respectively.