Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 205

rya Balissaha and Group- c rya & discourse- c rya of Mah giri
Tradition (Estimated V.N.S. 245 to 329)
In 245 V.N. after rya Mah giri acceded to heaven, out of hindsight prominent Sthaviras, rya Balissaha was appointed as the group- c rya. His Ga a was called as 'Uttara Balissaha'.
No personal information, like the birth, initiation, parents, etc., of Balissaha is available. He was a Brahmin of Kau ika lineage. Initiated into monastic life by rya Mah giri, he obtained the knowledge of the ten P rvas. Like his Guru, he too very strictly followed the holy path, because of which, after rya Mah giri, he was considered as the Chief group- c rya of this tradition.
With a view to maintain the unity of the congregation, rya Suhast created the ranks of discourse- c rya and epochal- c rya, apart from group- c rya. Accordingly, to maintain coordination and affability between the two ranks, he appointed Balissaha, the great scholar of canons, as the discourse- c rya of the entire congregation.
rya Balissaha imparting canonical knowledge to the monks of the congregation carried out commendable service to the Jain order. In the recital of rama a congregation, which was organised during his tenure, he recited and explained the meaning of the eleven Amgas and the ten Prvas and contributed his full share in compiling them in a systematic order.
During the period of recital, he also compiled a Jain canon text called Amga Vidy from "Vidy nuv da Prva’. From Uttara Balissaha, his disciples branched out into four divisions known as Kosambiy, Sotittiy , Kodamb and Candan giri.
Thus, rya Balissaha held the rank of group- c rya of Mah giri tradition in addition to being the discourse- c rya of the entire congregation for a long time. His tenure is estimated from 245 to 329 V.N.
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