Jain Journal 2005 04

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

Page 17

176
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX, NO. 4 APRIL 2005
ruins as stated by “Ārya Manjusri-mūla-kalpa” were Buddhist in origin. Some of the monasteries in ruins probably belonged to other nonVedic sects.
Now, the question is - which were the non-Vedic sects except the Buddhists, that fell victims to the persecution and maltreatment of the Tīrthikas during Mātsyamāya and even earlier ?
Like the Buddhists, the Nirgranthas (Jainas), were heretical in religious persuasion and were victims of the persuasion of King Śaśānka of Karņasuvaiņa. Saśāńka not only destroyed the monasteries, caityas and rest-houses of the Nirgranthas (Jainas), but also deprived them of their livelihood.
Let us quote from “Ārya Manjusri-müla-kalpa" the relevant śloka which tells of the oppressions perpetuated by Saśānka upon the Nirgranthas (Jainas).
"tato 'sau krudha-lubdhastu mithyāmanihyasammatah vihārārama caityāśca Nirgranthām vasathām bhuvi vetsyacca tadā sarvam vrttirodhakāraka.”
“Then that angry and greedy evil-doer of false notions and bad opinion will fall down on all the monasteries, gardens and caityas and rest houses of the Nirgranthas and then stop the livelihood of all."
It seems that the persecutionary measures of king Saśārka fell more heavily upon the Nirgranthas (Jainas) than upon the Buddhists. And this assumption is not baseless. When Hieu-en-Tsang visited Karņasuvarna, immediately after the death of Saśārka, he found many Buddhist monks and monasteies there, whereas he found neither a Nirgrantha monk nor a Nirgrantha monastery in Karņasuvarņa.'?
11. 12.
Translation by K.P. Jayaswal in “Imperial History of India." Watters, Yuang Chwang Vol II.