Jain Legend Vol 4

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

Page 78

house of a lay devotee he performed the 6th Kaly aka of Mah v ra. Then he perceived that no Jina temple would be available for him in Cittauḍa to offer deferential salutations and for worshipping by the votaries, as the temples were owned by Temple dwellers. So he consented to the proposal of his laity for the construction of separate temples. Accordingly two Jina temples were constructed in two floors of a building.
It appears that on completion of the study of scriptures under Abhayadeva S ri, Jinavallabha S ri firmly resolved that he would not rest until and unless he totally wipes out the aberrant beliefs, rituals, methods of worship etc. introduced by the lethargic monks and saves the Jain congregation off their influence. With this resolution in mind, he started his campaign to eliminate the Temple dweller tradition and had to face the wrath of both the traditions i.e. his own and that of the opponents. Nonetheless he did not lose his courage and morale. Realising that he could not put his conviction into action in Gurjara region, especially in A ahillapura Pa a a, he targeted other places to accomplish his mission. He spent his entire life confronting the Temple dwellers. He wrote a revolutionary V tti called 'Congregation Pa aka' to augment the Reformed path and to destroy Temple dweller tradition. Impressed by the judicious presentation of the facts, people became his followers in large numbers. With his encouragement, Reformed temples were first built in Cittauda and their construction continued at different places of the country. These commandments which were contrary to the mode of rituals, religious practices and beliefs of Temple dwellers were engraved in the temples. They were:
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No activity which is against the scriptures is carried out here. "Sn tra p j s" (ritual to perceive and praise the virtues and attributes of 24 T rthamkaras) will not be convened at night in these Reformed temples.
No ascetic can claim any type of ownership over these Reformed temples.
No woman can enter these temples in the night. Their entry during night is prohibited.
No discrimination is shown in these temples on the basis of caste, creed, lineage etc.
The devotees should never eat betel in the temple premises.
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