Propos of the Botika Sect

Author(s): M A Dhaky, Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_3_Pundit_Dalsukh_Malvaniya_012017.pdf

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M. A. Dhaky & Sagarmal Jain
Ārya Vajra
Ārya Ratha
Arya Puşyagiri
Arya Phalgumitra
Arya Dhanagiri
Arya Sivabhūti
Arya Krsna (ob. before K. E. 95)
Arya Bhadra
Ārya Saņdila (or Skandila)
(c. A. D. 363)
From the sthavirāvali it is clear that Arya Sivabhūti was a senior confrere of Ārya Krsna as against the impression carried in Jinabhadra gani's narration, which makes Ārya Krsna "guru” and Sivabhūti “sisya”, a mistake in fact had been made by the earlier bhāsya. Significantly, while the śvetāmbara commentators denigrate Sivabhūti, 'the Digambara Jaina work Bhāvapāhuda (Bhāvaprābhsta, c. late 8th cent. A.D. or later), 33 ascribed to Kundakundācārya, extalls Sivabhūti for his bhāvavisuddhi by tusa-bhāşa. 84 Since no Digambara pontiff with the appelation of Sivabhūti is known, it is very likely that Bhāvapāhuda's Sivabh iti is probably identical with the separatist Sivabhuti of the Svetāmbara sources, who was most welcome to the Digambara sect since he had insisted on nudity and absolute nonpossession.
As for the date of Arya Sivabhūti, since he is fisth after Āiya Vajra (c. 1st cent. A.D.) in the succession list, he may be ascribed to c. 2nd 3rd cent. A. D. The Mathurā Šilāpatta (stone plaque) dated to the 95th year of the Kusāņa Era very reverentially depicts " Kanha samana (Krsna Sramaņa or Arya Krsna)”. 85 The date of the silāpațța in terms of Christian Era variously can be A.D. 200-205, or 223, or 238, depending on the year from which the Era of Kanişka is reckoned or