Jain Journal 2006 07

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

Page 33

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLI. NO. 1 JULY 2006
Part - II
The religion of the Jainas is stated to be the most ancient religion (ādidharma) of Bengal and it is also stated that the Jainas were the pioneers in aryanising ancient Bengal. When the various tribes of ancient Bengal were contemptuously referred to by the Protagonists of the Vedic religion and culture and when they were yet to be included to the Aryandom, the Jainas had their influence felt in some regions of this Eastern Kingdom.
But “the first contact of Bengal with Jainas” which took place in the 6th century B.C. "was marred by incidents” which had put an indelible slur upon the people of Bengal. Let us quote from the Acārāngasūtra, one of the oldest scriptures of the Jainas, the account of the sad incidents.
Sometime after the ordination of Mahāvīra as a Jaina monk, “he travelled in the pathless country of Lädha in Vajjabhūmi and Subbhabhūmi, he used there miserable beds and miserable seats." (2)
"In Lādha (hapened) to hiin many dangers. Many natives attacked him. Even in the faithful part of the rough country, the dogs bit him” (3)
“Few people kept off the attacking, biting, biting dogs. Striking the monk, they cried “Khu Khu” (chu chu) and made the dogs bite him."(4)
"Such were the inhabitants, inany other mendicants eating rough food in Vajjabhūmni and carrying about a strong pole or a stalk (to keep off dogs) lives there. (5)
“Even thus armed they were bitten by the dogs, torn by the dogs. It is difficult to travel in Lāļha.” (6)
The cruel treatment meted out to the venerable mendicant, Mahāvīra probably had its repercussons among the followers or Ganadharas of Mahāvīra. It will not be far wrong if we surmise that consequent upon this ugly incident the Ganadharas or the chief disciples of Mahāvīra forbade the Jaina monks to cross the boundary of