Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Around 500 A.D. Pujyapad-swami wrote the famous SARWARTHA SIDDHI. In 600 A.D. Acharya Samantabhadra Swami wrote the famous RATNAKARANDA SHRAVKACHAR, now regarded as an authoritative text on conduct code for the lay persons. Between 600 to 1000 A.D. Padmapurana, Harivansha Purana, Adi Purana, Uttara Purana, Mahapurana, Mulcara , Gommatsara and such other significant religious books were written which enriched Digambar Jain literature.Poet Banarsidas and Pandit Todarmal revitalized the Digambar tradition through their writings in 16-17th century deeply inspired by Kundakundacharya It is relevant to note that around 350 B.C., a 12 year famine in Magadha (Bihar) led to major schism in the Jain community through parting of ways between Digambar and Swetambar sects. Acharya Bhadrabahu led a group of some 12000 digambar skyclad munis including Emperor Chandra Gupta as one of them in their migration to South India in order to be in a peaceful place where unaffected by famine conditions and social upheaval, they could follow all the austere rituals as well as pursue writing of commentaries on original scriptures. Jain religion was already being followed in South India. Migration of ascetics from north gave fresh vigor to it. By the time most of them returned to the north, Swetambar tradition saints had gone ahead with differing versions and interpretations of original scriptures, modes of rituals and rules of conduct. Swetambar Acharya Sthulibhadra presided over the first Swetambar conclave of saints at Pataliputra in 320 B.C.. He had been a disciple of Acharya Bhadrabahu from whom he imbibed the knowledge of Dvadasanga and Purvas. Acharya Bhadrabahu was venerated both by Digambars and Swetambars., and was the fountain source for both to secure the knowledge about ancient Jain scriptures. This was the first organized effort to preserve intact in memory the original Anga Agamas except the 12th which was regarded as lost in its precise format. The second
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A Portrait of Jain Religion