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CHAPTER 3
THE GREAT SCHISM
Since the time of Lord Mahavira a total of eight schisms have arisen in Jaina community. The first seven divisions were either personal or else related to minor differences in the interpretation of the philosophy:
1. The first division took place while Lord Mahavira was
alive, 14 years after he attained omniscience. His sonin-law Jamali led it. Tisgutta (Tisyagupta) led the second breakaway in Rajagriha 16 years after Lord Mahavira's Nirvana. His followers who were called Jivapaesyas did not believe that the soul is permeated in all the atoms of the
body. 3. Asadha led the third division at Seyaviya in 214 years
Vir Nirvana (214 years after Mahavira's nirvana). His followers, called Avatiyas, believed that there was no difference between gods, saints, kings and other beings, so they should all be treated without
distinction. 4. Six years later (220 Vir Nirvana) Assamitta
(Asvamitra), in Mihilla, led the fourth division. His followers were called Samuchchheiyas. They believed that since all the lives will parish one day the effects
of good and bad deeds are immaterial. 5. Ganga led the fifth division at Kullakatiriya 228 years
after Mahavira's nirvana. His followers were called Dokiriyas. They believed that two opposite feelings like cold and warmth could be experienced at the same
time. 6. Sadulaya (Rohagutta), in Antaranjiya 554 years after
Lord Mahavira's nirvana led the sixth division. He postulated a third state, No-life, between life (Jiva)
