Jaina Gazette 1927

Author(s): J L Jaini, Ajitprasad
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office

Page 34

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PERIODS IN JAINA HISTORY Throughout this period, the south and the west remained chiefly the centres of the Digambara and Svetambara literary activities respectively. Both sections produced a large philosophical literature mostly in Prakrit, but also in Sanskrit which was the language adopted in writing the many Puranas. From about the 7th century the Jains produced good popular literature. The names of Samantabhadra, Jina Sena, Akalanka, and Nemi Chandra stand foremost among the great Jain writers of the south, and of Siddha Sena Divakar, Haribhadra Suri, Dhaneshwar Suri, Dhanapala and above all Hema Chandi acharya among those of north and west. It was through the efforts of Jain writers of the south that the vernaculars of those parts-Kanarese and others assumed literary shape during this period. The earliest books in those vernaculars are by Jain writers.
The Digambaras in the south and the Svetambaras in the north and west, enjoyed royal patronage. The period was one of high prosperity for Jainism.
4. MEDIEVAL PERIOD.
(12th century to 16th century.) This was a period of transition and decline. The organization of monks, that was the main strength of the church, now became loose, and the spirit of self-sacrifice began to vanish. Philosophical studies were not so keenly carried on now as before and the monks grew ignorant, and mostly unfit to infuse the correct spirit of Jainism into their lay-followers. Internal jealosies and hatred, rent the Jain society into various sects and sub-sects which tended to become exclusive social units forgetting their common bond. Hence they fell an easy prey to the new faiths of Vaishnavism and Saivism that gradually waxed strong ruring this period. The weakness of the community was punished with the forfeiture of all royal patronage and with it all its social and political importance.
This degeneration looks surprising when we consider the fact that the Jains even at that time formed a very rich community in the country. At the beginning of the period many granted temples Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat