Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

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pective of their status to follow the tenets he preached and thereby dissolve the caste-system and bring in a caste-less, classless society. Hatred or any inferior motives regulating caste-distinction is outside the pale of Jainism. Jainism cuts at the very root of Ghrina (hatred) and promises salvation to all according to their capacity. .
The Jains are divided into two sections : the Swetambars and the Digambars. It is not necessary here to go deep into their differences of beliefs. Briefly speaking, the Swetambar Jains believe in Sabastra Mukti, that women can attain salvation, recognise Sabastra Guru and hold that in Kaivalya condition Mahavirji had illness. According to the Swetambar Jains, Mahavira Swami is not a Bal Brahmachari. They hold that he had married, ruled and had a daughter. They also hold that tbe nineteenth Tirthankar was a lady, Mallabkumari.
But according to the Digambar Jains, there is Digambur Mukti, and they do not admit that women can attain Mukti in the present life. In Digambar Jainism the doors of liberation are not closed for the women. She can observe the great vows and lead a true Jain life, but owing to certain physical infirmities peculiar to her sex, sbe cannot attain liberation in this life, but can do so in a future life.
The Jains of the Digambar school do not recognise that there could be any Sabastra Guru. According to them, in Kaivalya condition there is no illness. They hold that Mahavira Swami was a Bal Brahmachari and he never married, nor did he have any Raj. They hold that the nineteenth Tirthankar was a male and his name was Mallipath.
Again, according to the Swetambar, Kundaligram near Mongbyr district is the birth-place of Mahavira. According to the Digambar Jains, the birth-place of Mahavira Swami is Kundalpur near Nalanda. Vaisali in Muzaffarpur district is now being claimed as the birth-place of Mahavira and
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