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Jainism : The Cosmic Vision indication of how in ancient times men and women were treated as equals in the Jain tradition. So also the ancient edicts of Mathura contain female names along with those of males. Women participated equally with men in religious ceremonies, gave donations as per their desires and collaborated in the construction of temples. During the times of Bhagwan Parshwanath, 16 thousand Shravikas attained spiritual uplift through initiation or Diksha under the inspiring guidance of Sadhvi Pushyachula. The followers of Bhagwan Mahavira included only 14 thousand Sadhus as against 36 thousand Sadhvis; the Shravaks were one and a half lakh, whereas the number of Shravikas exceeded 3 lakh. These figures are indicative of the honour and respect women commanded in the Jain religion. Mahasati Chandanbala independently managed this sect of 36 thousand Sadhvis.
Chandanbala is a remarkable personality in Jain religion. Bhagwan Mahavira accepted food from Chandanbala who was regarded as a maid servant and this was the gesture of abolition of casteism. She was nominated to the post of Pravartini and was given rights equal to those of the post of a senior Acharya in a Sangh. Under the impact of religious discourses of Sadhvi Chandana many a kings renounced the material world. Chandana herself attained Siddhatva in that birth itself through rigorous penance. The sect of Jain Sadhvis contained women of all castes and communities. Chandanbala, Kali, Sukali, Mahakali, Krishna and such other women belonged to the Kshatriya community whereas Devananda and others were from Brahmin community. A religion, that conferred the right to liberation to each and every woman, would not confine itself within the bonds of casteism. It is not that only the women from
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