Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons

Author(s): Jagdishchandra Jain
Publisher: New Book Company

Page 27

HISTORY OF THE JAIN CHURCH
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During the life time of Mahavira, Jainism could make only a small headway and it does not seem to have spread beyond the boundaries of Anga and Mag adlid where the Teacher principally dwelt and prcached but later on, after the death of Mahāvira, his followers and successors succeeded in popularising the faith to a much greater degrec, so that it did not fail to enjoin the support of kings as well as commoners.
tta, and was the residy
canadharas were all
except Indabhū and
ELEVEN GANADHARAS Mahāvira had eleven Ganadharas or heads of Schools (cf. Ganticarlya in Palı). The eldest was Indabhūl, then followed Aggibhī, Vāubhūi, Viyatta, Suhamma, Mandiya, Moriyaputta, Akampıya, Ayalabhāyā, Mcija and Pabhasa. The first three Ganadharas were brothcıs and belonged to the Goyama gotta and were residents of Gobbaragama. The fourth belonged to the Bhäraddaya gotta, and was the icsident of Kollága sannivesa ; the fifth belonged to the Aggiv esāyana gotta, and was thic resident of Kollāga sannivcsa; the sixth belonged to the Vasittha gotta, and was the resident of Moriya sannivesa; thc seventh belonged to the Kāsava gotta, and was the resident of Moriya sannives, thc eighth belonged to the Goyama gotta, and was the resident of Mihilā ; the ninth belonged to the Hariāyana golta, and was the icsidcnt of Kosala , the tenth belonged to thc Kodinna gotta and was the resident of Tungiya sannivesa; the eleventh belonged to the same gotta, and was the resident of Rayagiha. These Ganadharas were all Brāhmana teachers and all except Indabhūi and Suhamma, died during the life time of Mahāvīra. They are said to have been versed in the twelve Angas, the fourteen Puuvas, and the whole ganipidaga (the basket of the Ganes). They died in Rāyagıha after fasting for a month.68 Goyama Indabhūl cut asunder the tie of friendship which he had for his Master and attained kevalınship the same night when Mahavira died 60 He survived Mahāvīra for twelve years and finally achieved salvation at Rāvagiha at the age of ninety two.To The name of Suhamma, the fifth Ganadhara of Mihā. vīra, we come across in the Jain Canons frequently After Mahavira's death, he became the head of the Jain community and held that position for twenty years, till he attained kevalinship Hc is said to havc nariated the Jain Canons to his disciplc Jambu in the manncr hc had heard from his Master. The Niggantha samanas of thc present time are all spiritual descendants of the monk Ajja Suhamma, the rest of the Ganadharas left no descendants.71.
THE SCHISMS The following Schisms are mentioned in the Jain Church -
(1) Jamalı, who was Mahavira's sister's son and also his son-in-law, was the first man to start the schism in Såvatthi during the life time of
68 See Kalpa Sū. 8. 1-4; Ava. Nit. 644 ff., 658 f. 00 Kalpa St. 5. 127. 70 Ava. Nur, 656. 11 Kalpa si, 8. 4.