Jain Legend Vol 3

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

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Changes introduced in religion and the original Jain rama a Path of purification by temple dwelling monks.
Around V.N. 850, some nirgrantha monks (of that time pervert monks) who completely disregarded the nirgrantha scriptures and code of conduct for monks and beliefs; started building temples and monasteries. Then they started living there either permanently or regularly alongwith accepting unfit, imperfect and flawed food. Still the presence of a miniscule number of rama a monks with firm belief in the scriptures, totally detached, observing all austerities and constantly wandering (i.e. not staying at one place for long times or regularly) could not succeed in bringing around (i.e. belief in scriptures and true code of conduct) these pervert monks to home who introduced pervert changes in their conduct and beliefs.
An analysis of the series of events which took place after the death of Devardhiga i K am rama a suggest that these temple dwelling monks started vigorously preaching and introducing the lax code of conduct introduced by them and establish the same as true representation of Jain religion. These temple dwelling monks introduced attractive materialistic religious rituals to attract the common followers to their congregation and brought ten changes in the code of conduct so that after initiation into monkhood, the monk does not have to face hardship and enjoy all comforts of life easily. These temple dwelling monks preached and published this modified code of conduct with the ten alterations amongst their fellow monks and made it essential to practice them. The impact of these temple dwelling monks was seen widely for seven hundred years approximately.
These ten changes are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
The monks can accept food which had been intentionally prepared for them. There is no fault / flaw in accepting such food.
The monk should always and permanently stay in a temple. While opposing openly those monks who lived in gardens, homes of others or in temple complexes temporarily, they said it is essential for the monks to live in temples and never stay at places frequented by aforesaid monks.
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