Book Title: Jain Legend Vol 3
Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana
View full book text
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3.
These sermons of Y pan ya congregation affected followers both in South and North alike. Proclamation of Y pan ya congregation 'str m tadbhave mok ah' in fact caused a flood of enthusiasm for Jainism in women of south India. The immediate benefit of this proclamation was that Y pan ya congregation became the most powerful and popular congregation in southern India. This congregation thus continued to be so powerful and dominant in Karnataka from 4th to 11th
century AD. The main source and time of the origin of Y pan ya congregation
At the time of the first division (around V.N. 606 or so) of Lord Mah v ra's unified congregation, it was trifurcated into Digambara, vet mbara and Y pan ya (Gopya or Pul ya) congregation or sects. In the light of record available on the events which occurred between V.N.606-9, it can be inferred that Y pan ya congregation came into existence at that time only.
Major beliefs of Y pan ya congregation
From the holy texts available now which belong to Y pan ya congregation, whatever major beliefs which Y pan ya c ryas preached can be enumerated as follows?
1.
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'Sagranth n m mok ah 'i.e. it is not an essential rule that only nude monks can attain liberation. Monks wearing clothes living in together or even householders practicing austerities severally and seriously can attain liberation.
'Str m tadbhave mok ah 'i.e. women like men also attain liberation in the same life.
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4.
Most of their beliefs conform to vet mbara beliefs.
Y pan ya congregation considered all holy texts of vet mbara tradition, such as va yaka, Chedas tra, Niryuktis, Da avaik lika and venerated by them till now etc, as valid holy texts,
They also accepted liberation of women in the same life and liberation of omniscient as per vet mbara tradition.
Y pan ya congregation allowed possession of bare minimum religious implements such as clothes, blanket, towel to wipe their feet, pots for food etc by their monks.
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