Jain Legend Vol 1

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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ready even to listen to the scriptures. Therefore with no development in the four-fold congregation, the religious order spilt up.
The fact is that barring D iv da in the interval between V abhan tha and Suvidhin tha, the remaining 11 Amgas survived but in the intervals between Suvidhin tha and mtin tha it is believed the entire 12 Amgas were also divided. Prior to mtin tha and Mah v ra only D iv da was divided but not the remaining 11 Amgas. Thus, in the time of the 24 T rthamkara from V abhan tha and Mah v ra leaving aside the 7 intervals the religious order carried on. Even though the numbers reduced or increased, the four-fold congregation was never absent. For the tradition of the 11 Amgas remained safe. Preserving the scriptures is the means to preserving the religious order.
Thought and Conduct
It is generally observed that even the best of asceties who preach the highest principles (thoughts) do not practice it. But the specialty of the lives of the T rthamkara is that they preach, propagate and live in keeping with the lofty ideas they present. Their practice is not different or contradictory to the gamas. All the same, a common man might have doubts looking at the events in the lives of T rthamkara in various places. For example some c ryas have written that when Lord Mah v ra began to move around after his dk (initiation), a poor Brahmin accosted him midway, imploring him pitifully. Touched with compassion the Lord tore a part of his - devad ya (divine robe). The question may be asked as to how could the Lord himself act in this manner having prohibited a monk from acts such as d na (giving alms) that arise from attachments of a householder? Tearing a robe and giving is not limited compassion. The Lord has infinite compassion; it is possible that Siddh rtha or some other divine being in service of the Lord might have done this. The c ryas might have written about something corresponding to that state
Similarly despite a vow of aparigraha (non-possession) T rthamkara living amidst adornments such as divine umbrella, c mara (whisk) can become cause for suspicion in the minds of common people. In reality, the celestial beings themselves make an offering of these adornments in praise of Trthamkara at the time of their attaining the status of T rthamkara. This is an obvious example of the devotion and worship of
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