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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Bhagavat s tra has details of 36000 questions raised by ga adhara Indrabh ti and their replies by Lord Mah v ra. Not even a single activity associated with spiritual uplift had been left untouched in these questions. In this way, satisfying all the doubts and questions concerning spiritual uplift, not even one mention in these 36000 questions is associated with idol worship or temple construction.
In the second chapter of Bhagavat s tra, we find detailed description of all the religious activities undertaken by prosperous followers of rama a traditions in Tungiy town who had deep faith in the doctrine. There also we do not find any mention of Jina temples and Jina idol worship.
In the fundamental scriptures, we find detailed description of venerable householders like nanda, amkha, K ma Deva, Pu kal, Ud yana etc and how they observed going and staying in religious places during fasting, eleven stages of spiritual purification of householders, donating to worthy recipient of donations, and their religious duties. Nowhere do we find mention even at one place that they went to a temple or built an idol of Jina for worship. Similarly we do not find any mention of any Jina temple or organizing idol worships by kings Kra a, re ika or Prade in these scriptures.
In the fundamental scriptures, Lord Mah v ra had described the material wealth, powers, attainments and prosperity prevailing in the homes and cities of his followers. However nowhere any mention is made of Jina temples or Jina idols there. If idol worship had any place in the fundamental doctrine of that time, then at least some mention of the same should have been made in those texts of their existence in homes of ideal householders or city centres. What to talk of idol worship, even the existence of Jina temples and Jina idols was conspicuous by their absence. It goes to prove that idol worship had no place in the fundamental doctrine of Jainism.
Jain scriptures had been compiled by ga adharas based on the sermons of Lord Mah v ra is an undisputed fact and acceptable
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