Jain Journal 2005 04

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

Page 29

188
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX, NO. 4 APRIL. 2005
On the basis of this cryptic internal evidence would we be wrong if we conclude that the majority of the heretical monks who were expelled clad in white robes - were the predecessors of the Svetāmbara Jainas ?
Let us now examine the circumstantial evidence to establish the identity of the expelled monks. Dr. P. C. Bagchi seems to be infavour of identifying the majority of the monks who disturbed the peace of the Asokārāma as the Ājīvikas. 19
In describing the causes that led to the convokation of the third Buddhist council in Pāțaliputra, Dr. Bagchi stated, “under Aśoka's partronage the Buddhist community of Pāțaliputra which claimed to be more loyal to the teaching of the Buddha became rich in its endowments and revenues and attracted the adherents of the relatively neglected creeds, Ajīvikas and the sectarians of different descriptions who began to wear the yellow robes and disturb the life of Asokārāma proclaining their own heresies as the doctrines of the Buddha”20
From the extract it seems that Dr. Bagchi was in favour of identifying the majority of the excommunicated heretics as belonging to this “relatively neglected Ajīvika sect”. But the assumption that the Ājīvikas were a relatively neglected sect and formed apparently a majority of the heretics who disturbed the life of the Asokārāmamonastery does not stand scrutiny. In the Mahāvamsalikā there is a tradition wherein it is stated that Asoka's mother Dharmā was the chief queen of Bindusāra. The preceptor of her father's family was an Ajīvika saint, Janāsana whom king Bindusāra (Asoka's father) summoned to20 interpret the meanig of the queen's dream before the birth of Asoka. In the Divyāvadāna, the same tradition has been narrated in different language and manner wherein it is stated that Bindusāra summoned the Ajīvika ascetic Pingalavatsa for the
19. P. C. Bagchi, A Comprehensive History of India Vol- II 20. Ibid