Jain Journal 2005 01

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

Page 15

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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX, NO. 3 JANUARY, 2005
strong on the plains of Bengal and around the habitations of the Brahmanical sectarians, the Pāşandis i.e. the Nirgranthas (Jainas) were conspicuous by their presence; while the Buddhists, in spite of royal patronage, were not growing in members as fast as was expected by the chronicler. So in despair. hu bewailed that the land upto the Seashore had been turned into abodes of the followers of different Brahmanical sects with the lodgements of Nirgranthas on the periphery of their habitats.
From the detailed discussions made above, it is evident that the Nirgranthas (Jainas) formed a part of the religieux of Bengal during the rule of Gopāla, the founder of the Pāla dynasty. They were, of course, a smaller community in comparision either with the Tirthikas (Brahmanical Hindus) or the Buddhists. But their influence was not negligible in the religious life of Bengal at that time.
In conclusion, it is to be stated that unless, the truth of the presence of the Nirgranthas (Jainas) in Bengal during the reign of Gopāla, is acknowledged, it will be almost impossible to explain the efflorescence of the image-making and temple-building activities of the Nirgranthas (Jainas) of Bengal from the 9th century A.D. onwards, the stray remains and ruins of which had been already unearthed and are being explored in different parts of West Bengal.
20. R. C. Mitra, Decline of Buddhism in India.