Jainism in Mathura in the Early Centuries of the Christian

Author(s): Baijnath Puri
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_

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160 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME dedications. It seems that caste factor did not figure in the Jaina religious order. We hear of saint Harikesin Bala hailing from a Candala family.26 Thus, even men of low birth could aspire for a high status through intellectual attainments. Nor were dedications by fallen but religious-minded women wanting. If Buddha could accept the hospitality of the famous courtesan of Vaisali-Ambapali, we have an interesting example of the setting up of a shrine (devalcula) of the Arhat Vardhamana, a hall of homage (ayagasabha), a reservoir (prapa). and stone slabs (silapata) in the Arhat temple of the Niganthas, by the lay-disciple of ascetics (samanasavika), the courtesan (ganika) Nada-Vasu, daughter of the courtesan Ada Lonasobhika27, together with some of her relatives, for the worship of the Arhats. The Jaina devotees also set up tablets of homage (ayagapatas) 28 with the Yogi type of the seated Jina, the highly ornamented trisulas, and sacred symbols. One tablet gives an interesting view of a Jaina stupa enclosed in a railing with a gateway (torana). These ayayapatas or tablets of homage were set up for the worship of all Arhats, invoking their blessings. The Jainas also raised stupas over the ashes of a chief or religious leader. These numerous items of dedication were part of the activities of the Jainas in Mathura who catered to the wishes of the Jaina preachers from different schools and families. The Tirthankaras enjoyed the respect and adoration of all the schools. Among the preachers whose names appear in more than one record are-Arya Baladina, Arya-Deva, Arya-Kseraka, Mihila and Nagadatta. The role of women as nuns (sisyini) or lay devotees (sraddhacari) was fairly important. The latter had not renounced their family ties, but were deeply religious and firm. They created endowments. There are many references to Jaina nuns. The heads of schools had female disciples receiving religious instructions. Okha of an earlier record, probably an Indo-Parthian, Amohini of the Ksatrapa period, Kumaramitra, Vasula, Sanghamika, Jinadasi, Balavarma and Deva29 contributed a lot as members of the Jaina order--dedicating themselves and persuading others in the path of religion. There is no reference to a female preacher in the records. 26 Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 12. 1. 27 Luders' List, No. 102. 28 EI, II, p. 190, No. 2; p. 202, No. 5; EI, II, p. 396, No. 23. 29 Luders' List, Nos. 39, 24, 70, 50, 48, 28, 47.