Jain Legend Vol 2

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

Page 329

Tradition of Female monks (female ascetics) from omniscient era To
Prvadhara era
From times immemorial, the unique feature of Jainism is that, it gave women, the full right to progress on the path of Spiritual-exertion. Similarly, just like men, even women of any class, caste or creed, in accordance with her stamina and desire could take initiation for either as female-votary or female-monk. Jain religion never showed discrimination like, 'Str drau N dhiyet ma' (women and untouchables are not eligible). From the very beginning, the T rthamkaras, while establishing the Jain Order, considering that women too, just like men are eligible & capable for Spiritual-exertion, created a four-fold order including them also.
The women using the invaluable right conferred by all T rthamkaras, like men, with great courage, practiced the Holy Path. They uplifted themselves in the spiritual path and helped others progress in the Holy Path as well. Apart from this, they significantly contributed for the propagation, expansion and elevation of the Jain religion
By the comparative analysis of the number of men & women ascetics, men & women lay devotees of all the 24 T rthamkaras, it appears that women were always ahead of men in the path of spiritual practices.
Nevertheless, the Digambara sect, (except the Y pan ya congregation) held that women were not eligible for liberation. In the vet mbara Canon 'Jamb dw pa Praj apti' (the sixth text of Up mga), it is described that the 4000 Female monks of Lord V abha Deva attained salvation. Similarly in the Kalpas tra it is mentioned that the 3000 Female monks of Ari tanemi, 2000 Female monks of P r van tha and 1400 Female monks of Mah v ra, attained total liberation. The number of lady ascetics who attained liberation in the period of the aforementioned four T rthamkaras is double than that of the male monks.
While propounding the Holy Path & founding the Dharma-t rtha, Lord Mah v ra initiated Candana B1 and other women into the rama Dharma. He also initiated other women who were desirous of salvation, into the female-votary Dharma (lay women observing minor vows).
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