Book Title: 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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circumvent the devastating growing influence of temple dwelling congregation during their (temple dwelling) hay days. All other congregations (except the temple dwelling congregation) felt honoured to be associated with Suvihita congregation.
In this way the growing bad influence, dominance and popularity of temple dwelling congregation resulted in an auspicious manner unifying all other congregations to a well thought out, logically developed and scripture based tradition or Suvihita tradition. In reality, under the guise of Suvihita tradition, a new tradition was given birth. Instead, to unify different gacchas and congregations together in the fundamental doctrine and code of conduct, this new initiative was undertaken to call them by one name Suvihita.
Due to the long dominance of temple dwelling tradition, their rituals and external practices of worshipping etc made inroads in the newly developed Suvihita tradition and thinking also.
Bha
raka (administrator monks) Tradition
Study of ancient literature of both Digambara and vet mbara traditions bring forth the conclusion that the origin, growth and influence of the Bha raka tradition started in V.N. 840 i.e. prior to the death of Devardhiga i K am rama a. The Bha raka tradition in both Digambara and vet mbara traditions could not become prominent till V.N. 1100 and stayed in the background.
Bha rakas of vet mbara tradition adopted the middle path i.e. between the relaxed code of conduct of temple dwelling congregation and the scripture based right conduct. Similarly Bha rakas in Digambara tradition also gave up living in forests, caves and mountains and started living first in temples and then in homes on the outskirts and main roads of towns / cities (due to lack of temples). In this way Bha rakas of those traditions gave up wandering at different places and adopted the permanent stay at one fixed place.
To give credence to their conduct contrary to the scripture based conduct, they started coaching schools in Jain doctrines in their temples and monasteries to impart education to young children of use in the social and religious conduct.
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