Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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was patronized by the Sisunagas, Nandas, Kharavela, Mauryas, Satavahanas, Guptas, Paramaras, Candelas, Kalacuris, and others who provided all possible facilities to develop its literature and cultural activities. The Southern part of India was also a great centre of Jainism. Bhadrabahu and Visakhacarya with their disciples migrated to the South and propagated Jainism very much. Andhra, Satavahanas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Colas, Calukyas, Rastrakutas, Gangas, and others were main dynasties which rendered sufficient royal patronage and benefits to Jainism and its followers through the spirit of religious toleration which existed in this region. The Jainas were given magnificent grants for their spiritual purpose. Numerous Jaina temples and sculptures throughout the ages were erected by kings and many facilities were provided for literary services throughout India. As a result the Jaina Acaryas wrote their ample works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Tamil, Kannada, Telagu, Marathi, Hindi, Gujrati and other modern Indian languages.
Jainism crossed India from South India at about eighth century B..C.. if not earlier, and become one of the most important relia of Ceylon, which was known in those days by the name of Lanka, Ratnadvipa or Simhala. The Mahavamsa (10.65-70; 33. 43-79) refers to the existence of Jainism in Ceylon even before the arrival of Buddhism. According to it, Pandukabhaya built a house at Anuradhapur for the Nigantha Jotiya and Giri and some more Niganthas. Jaina tradition takes the history of Jainism in Ceylon even prior to its Aryanization, or the Arrival of the Aryans. Ravana, a king of Lanka long ago is said to have erected a Jaina temple there at Trikutagiri. Another statue of Parsvanatha, the 23rd Jina found in the caves of Terapur is also said to be from Lanka. Jainism was a living religion of Ceylon upto the 10th A.D.
Kalakacarya, another Jaina monk, is said to have visited Burma or Svarnabhumi (Uttaradhyayana Niryukti, 120). Rsabhadeva is said to have travelled to Bhali (Bactria), Greece, Svarnabhumi, Panhave (Iran), etc. (Avasyaka Nir.336-37). Tirthankara Parsvnatha also went to Nepal. The existence of Jainism can also be proved in Afghanistan. Tirthankara images in the Kayotsarga, or meditating pose have been found in Vahakaraj Emir (Afghanis
32. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of India, Jan, 1885. 33 J.F. Moor, H.C. Com. Vol. P. 374.
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