Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 26

14
MODERN JAINISM.
in Ahmedabad a certain Svetāmbara Jaina* was asked to copy certain sacred Svetāmbara books, and whilst making the close study of them necessary for the work, he realized that there was no mention of idolatry in ther. He eventually founded a reformed and non-idolatrous sect + which rejects any of the Svetāmbara Scriptures that treat of idols or idol worship, and allows the common people to read the books it has retained.
The Digambara reject the Svetāmbara Canon. They have formed their own Scriptures, Purāna and Grantha.
containing lives of the Tirthaikara and of The Digambara
great monks and certain rules of conduct, Canon.
as well as some mathematics, science and philosophy. These scriptures are specially noted for their philosophy, though like the Svetāmbara Sacred Books, on which indeed they are based, they treat of idol worship also. They (like the Dhundhiā Scriptures ) are open to the laity. There are famous Treasure Houses of the Jaina
Scriptures at Pātan (near Siddhpur ), Treasure Houses.
1808. Cambay and Jesalmir (in Rajputana ),
Com and there is a smaller one at Limbadi ( in Kāțhiāvād).
They are connected with Jaina monasteries, but can scarcely be called Libraries, for it is very difficult for even Jaina to gain access to them, and practically impossible for a non-Jaina.
• The Dhundbjã say the copyist's name was Lonkā. Mr. Bhinbhãi
Kirpārām says the reformer was a priest of the Lonkā sect who rebelled against the authority of his Shripnjya and was expelled.
Bombay Gazetteer. Vol. ix. Part i. p. 106. + They are also known in Mālwā as Sådhumärgi (Ally Haf) Jaina.