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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Description in verse of the holy death of monk Met rya in Bhagavat s tra by their c rya iv rya in Vikram 5th century are similar to what is given in vet mbara scriptures They used to worship the three jewels of the path of purification, gave discourses on Kalpas tra, and accepted liberation of women in same life, accepting food by omniscient Lord and liberation of the followers of other religious traditions as well as of clothed laity. vet mbara c rya Gu a Ratna, while writing commentary on
adar anasamuccaya' of c rya Hari Bhadra, highlighted some characteristics of Y pan ya monks as follows. “These monks stay nude, accept food in the fold of their palms, keep whiskbrooms made of peacock feather, worship nude idols and bless the householders who venerate them by saying 'dharmal bha''. Till Vikram 5th century, monks of Y pan ya congregation used to carry dead body of their fellow monks on their shoulders to a forest and leave it there. All such details indicate that Y pan ya congregation was closer to vet mbara tradition than Digambara tradition.
A major change brought about by Y pan ya tradition
From the details given above about the beliefs and tradition of Y pan ya monks (male and female), it appears that their monks used to undertake unfavourable wandering around for many centuries since their inception. Barring the four months rainy season halt, they used to wander to different parts of the country for preaching the doctrine. But it seems probable that over the period of time around 4"h century A.D. and due to growing influence of temple dwelling congregation, they also, i.e. monks and followers of Y pan ya congregation, considering it essential to preach and propagate their beliefs started to live in temples for longer periods. This practice of staying at one place in a temple, as against the unfriendly wandering around of monks in scriptures, became a major change in the conduct of monks and doctrine.
By accepting the tradition of staying in one temple, the monks and
c ryas of Y pan ya congregation had to build stay places (residences) and temples of their fellow monks as well as educational institutions for preparing scholars to preach and teach their doctrine. For all these
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