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The contribution of Jainas in the field of Art and... 91
obscurantism and blind faith. According to it the traditional religious practices, which do not have any meaningful purpose, are just like dead bodies and dead bodies are not objects of worship. Thus a revolt against blind and obscurantic practices becomes imperative. Sramaņic religions have originated as a revolt against these very practices. Tīrthankara Rşabhadeva gave his own systematic code of law in both the worldly and spiritual fields in accordance to his time. This process of change and modification continued till the period of Mahāvīra. Lord Mahāvīra made various changes in the code of conduct and the path of morality of Pārsvanātha in accordance to his times. And the code of conduct prescribed by Lord Mahāvīra was also changed with the passage of time in accordance to changes in time, place and individual's circumstances. As a result Jaina ācāryas gave place to newer view-points in the form of apavāda-mārga based on new situations of change in time and place etc. while accepting Mahāvīra's path of spiritual endeavour and code of conduct as utsarga-mārga. With the creation of apavāda-mārga, attraction for comforts made its entry in the Jaina samgha and later, with the passage of time, it became a symbol of laxity of conduct. In view of this laxity many acāryas who
supported suvihita-mārga spearheaded revolutions Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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