Prolegomena to Prakritica et Jainica

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 89

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PROLEGOMENA TO PRAKRITICA et JAINICA
an instrument that causes pain (micchādamsanasalla). It has been divided into two classes, abhiggahiya and anabhiggahiya which Abhayadeva, the commentator, explains as that proceeding from acceptance of wrong doctrine and that proceeding from other causes. In the Bhagavatī there are frequent mentions of heretical schools and of heretical ascetics who came to question Mahāvīra. The Jñātādharmakathā, Antaḥkstadaśā and Praśnavyākaraṇānga Sūtras also contain occasional references to micchādassanasalla.
In the Upāsakadaśā praising of heretical teachers and intimacy with them have been regarded as offences against the law of right belief.? The animosities of the time are well-illustrated by the remark of the newly converted lay disciple Ananda made to Mahāvīra : “Truly, Reverend Sir, it does not befit me from this day forward to praise and worship any man of a heretical community, or any of the devas of a heretical community, or any of the objects of reverence to them; or without being first addressed by them, to address them or converse with them; or to give or supply them with food or drink; except it be by the command of the king or the community or any powerful man or deva or one's own elders or by the exigencies of living."8 Frequently does Mahāvīra refer to the need of refuting heretical doctrines : "Surely, venerable companions," says Mahāvira to his disciples, “if those servants of the Sramana who are householders living among householders, refute the theories of heretics, then much more, venerable companions, must the Nirgrantha ascetics who are students of the sacred collection of the twelve Angas be able to refute the theories of heretics by means of these arguments, questions, proofs and explanations." 6. Sth. i. 48; Bhag. I. 6, 52. 7. Upās. S.i.44. 8. Ibid. i. 58. 9. Ibid. vi.174