Jain Legend Vol 4

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

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the minister and commander-in chief of Gamga dynasty. The gigantic statue, the symbol of unparalleled piece of art is considered as one of the rarest wonders of the world.
Campaign to destroy Temple dwellers tradition
In the early dawn of the 11" century an unprecedented change due to the emergence of material-offering-based traditions began in Jain order. These traditions, apart from strengthening their position, also wielded power and influence over the hearts of rulers and commoners alike, in such a way that the fundamental, pure and scripture-based traditions became insignificant, save only in name.
Amongst the material-offering based traditions, the Temple dwellers could attract an astonishing number of kings and commoners by organising attractive fêtes, rendezvous etc, and by performing mira By the 2nd half of the 11th century V.N., the Temple dwellers consolidated their tradition in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and some other parts of the South. Their monopoly swayed over the Jain congregations of Gujarat, Rajasthan, M law , Matsya and Uttar Pradesh. Attracted by its growing influence, not only the laity, even hordes of monks and nuns of original tradition became their followers. The very existence of original tradition of Lord Mah v ra was in peril. In order to protect the fundamental nature of Jain doctrine and scripture based pure code of conduct of monks enunciated by the omniscient lords, the c ryas of all gacchas united together and created a new “Suvihita' (uniform and well organised) tradition.
Thus from time to time, the principal c ryas of “Suvihita' tradition kept reminding the Jain society of the original tradition, pure scripture based doctrine and code of conduct of monks and also tried their best to bring it back to its original prestigious position. However, unfortunately they could not ingress into some places where the Temple dwellers securely fortified their tradition.
During V.N. 1001 and 2000, the Jain order and the fundamental Jain doctrine received a devastating setback due to the dominating influence and expansionary strategies of Temple dwellers. Thus it remained latent in an insignificant form with only a handful of followers.