Jain Journal 2006 07

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

Page 35

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLI. NO. 1 JULY 2006
some peoples of ancient Bengal by the Jaina scriptures we may assume that some parts of Bengal had already accepted the Jaina faith in the 5th century B.C.
Even the harsh punishment imposed by Baudhāyana Dharnasūtra (c5th century B.C.) upon the deliquent Aryans for entering into Bengal speaks itself of the entry of a few Aryans into Bengal. Not only that, the Acārangasūtra also admits the presence of many mendicants in Vajjabhūmi who carried staves to keep off dogs and lived on rough food.
After a short discussion regarding the probable date or time of the introduction of Jaina religion in Bengal let us turn to the question who among the Jaina patriarchs was the pioneer of the Eastern advance or migration of the Jaina monks beyond the borders of AngaMagadha.
In sipe of the dearth of evidence ‘The Therāvali' or the list of succession of the Partiarchs, in the Kalpasūtra may focuss a streak of light to this dark chapter of Jaina History.
It is to be noted that one of the great achievements of lord Mahāvīra is the formation of a monastic organisation with the inclusion of 14000 monks divided into nine ganas or schools and headed by eleven Gaņadharas or senior disciples, but except the first and senior most Ganadhara Indrabhūti and the fifth ganadhara Sudharman all other Gañadharas obtained mokṣa during the life time of Mahāvīra.
Very little is known about the life and religious activities of the Ganadharas or chief disciples of Mahāvīra. It is stated about Indrabhūti Gautama that he was a Brahmin, born at a village in Magadha. By profession he was a pundit or a teacher and after leading the life of a householder for fifty years, he was ordained by Mahāvīra and spent thirty years as a devoted disciple of Mahāvīra and after the nirvāņa of the latter, he attained omniscience and at the age of ninety two he obtained moksa or liberation. He did not succeed Mahāvīra as the Head of the Jaina Church.
The fifth Ganadhara Ārya Sudharman'of Agnivaiśāyāna gotra was the first patriarch of the Jaina Church after Mahāvīra and the