Jain Journal 1988 10

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

Page 23

JAIN JOURNAL
which was recorded in the Abhidharmapitaka. The fourth council was convened during the time of the king Kaniska in the 1st Cent. B.C. It was held at Jalandhara in Kashmir under the leadership of Parsvika and Vasumitra. The Jainas had their councils as follows: The first council was held at Pataliputra ; the second council was convened at Mathura under the headship of Skandila and the third at Valabhi in Kathiawar 980 years after Mahavira.
In both the religions there is great deal of similarity as regards the ācāra or the conduct of the clergy as well as of the laity. The code of conduct for the Buddhists is laid down in the Vinayapițaka, that of the Jainas in the Acărāngasūtra, one of the eleven Angas. Both the systems were open-hearted and large-minded. Both do not believe and advocate the caste system as is understood by the Hindus. Both the religions are open to all irrespective of caste, colour and creed. They have no Sudras and Harijanas ; so the large followers of the both religions were drawn from the lower strata. Courtesans, slaves, slave girls,' had an entry into the church. Both the religions were thus equally tolerant, as seen from early works. He who has an urge for a spiritual life can tread the path of salvation. Both the systems lay great stress on Yogic methods. Bauddhas used it as a means to concentration, while the Jainas used it for eliminating the kasāyas. Both lay stress on certain cardinal virtues. Both enforce and use ahimsā but the ahimsā of the Jainas is more detailed and minute in its compass and the scope of workings. It is on account of the influence of pontiffs like Hemacandra, etc. on kings like Kumarapala, etc., that ahimsā has come to stay in dominant position in which it is to day in Gujarat. In the entire province of Gujarat flesh-eating and the eating of the fish is as it were a taboo. Flesh or fish is never ordained for a Jaina monk, nun, or the laity under any circumstances. Mahavira, the staunch advocate of ahimsā, could never dream of eating flesh and fish. He, who endured so much, could never think of taking meat. Some people point out to Kapota and Marjara occuring in the 15th śataka of Bhagavati. But it can be pointed out that these are the names of certain medicinal plants known to the science of Ayurveda. Buddha had no such scruples. It is reported that Buddha just before his death, say before a period of three months, while on his way to Kusinagara, the capital of the Mallas came, to a town named Pava where he received an invitation of Cunda who gave him flesh of a swine. It is said that taking of the flesh was the cause of
* Cf. Amrapali or Ambapali, Vimata etc. 6 Cf. Campa. 7 Purna, Angulimala, Svapaka or Sopaka, Svati and Handa etc.