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JAINA MONASTERIES
119
Lady Preceptors
"Jaina church in Tamilnadu is unique in that there existed prosperous institution of lady preceptors. They had a wide circle of lady disciples. Lady Teachers are addressed as Kurattiyar - Kuratti Adigal and are of a unique class by themselves."
The Tamil lexicon work - Chudamani Nigandu gives a list of epithets that refer to Jaina Nuns as KANTI - AVVAI - AMMAI - KANNI - KAVUNTHY. The lady preceptor is called Kuratti. We have reference to Kavunti Adigal in Cilappathikaram, one of the five major Tamil Kavyas. There is a oral tradition that affirms the role played by Kanti - Kantiyar in educating the lay lady disciples. They were well versed in Tamil language. Jeevaga Cinthamani - a major Tamil Kavya - was composed by the Acharya Thiruthakha Devar. It contains 3143 stanzas. It is believed that a few hundred stanzas were the work of these Kantiyar (interpolated) and can not be distinguished from the original work of the author.
At Kurandi Thirukkattampalli, there existed a nunnery and the inmates were called “Kurandi Kannimar' - nuns of Kurandi.'
Vedal, a village near Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district is noted for the Vidarpalli - that existed there in 8th and 9th centuries. A.D. There are four inscriptions that belong to the time of Pallava - Nandivarman II and Chola Aditya I. The caverns here were extended with a mandapa and converted into a big nunnery. This was a separate hermitage for lady teachers and disciples. It was called 'VIDAR PEN PALLI' - Palli of female students.
Lady preceptor KANAGAVIRA KURATTIYAR resided here. She was the pupil of Gunakirti Bhatarar Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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