Pearls of Jaina Wisdom

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 70

34
Pearls of Jaina Wisdom
Spread of Jaina Religion
Soon the Jaina order grew to a large number. There were 14,000 monks; 36,000 nuns; 1,59,000 laymen and 3,18,000 laywomen. The head of the nun's order was Candana. The monks and nuns had to follow strict rules of conduct. They were to follow the five great vows and be obedient to the teacher and the head of the order. The conduct of monks and nuns was regulated down to the minutest details - begging of alms, respecting the preceptor; taking medical treatment; residence; their duty at the time of calamity or lawlessness in the country. The householders were to follow the primary vows (Anuvratas). They served the ascetics by way of offering them alms, providing a temporary dwelling and propagating the cause of religion. The formation of the four-fold order based on strict discipline certainly helped in its survival.
Onward March
For thirty long years, Lord Mahāvīra went about the places preaching the religion of Ahimsa and Anekānta ( Non-absolutism ). He visited important places like Kāśī, Kośala, Vatsa, Campā, Pañcāla, Magadha, Rājagṛha, Anga, Banga, Kalinga and many others. Those who heard his teachings were inspired by the pure and perfect words of the Master. The Jaina canonical works and texts like Bhagavatī, Aupāpatika, Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣa, Harivaṁśa Purāṇa and host of others have given graphic description of wanderings of Mahāvīra and the benefit that the people derived from his noble teachings.
Śreṇika Bimbisāra, the king of Magadha became his follower. Earlier, he was a follower of Lord Buddha. His queen Celanā was a great devotee of Mahāvīra. We find a vivid description of the dialouge held between Bimbisāra and Anāthīmuni ( a monk) in Uttaradhyayana Sūtra, which inspired the king to become a follower of Mahāvīra. His son and minister Abhayakumāra was an ardent follower of Mahāvīra. Several incidents about his wit and wisdom are narrated in Jaina texts.