Schools and Sects in Jaina Literature

Author(s): Amulyachandra Sen
Publisher: Vishwa Bharati Calcutta

Page 11

SCHOOLS AND SECTS IN JAINA LITERATURE
only pretend to be houseless." The Acārānga Sūtra, one of the oldest of the canonical texts, says that "To friendly or hostile heretics one should not give alms, drink, dainties and spices. . . nor do them service. .... Some here are not well instructed as regards the subject of conduct ; ... they pronounce opinions. ... Know that all this is without reason." The Sūtrakstānga Sūtra, another of the most authoritative texts, says “These heretics will never be saved... some unworthy sramaņas who hold wrong doctrines are afraid of what is free from danger and are not afraid of real danger." "Some who search after truth and pretend to practise the Law, follow the false Law and do not arrive at the right thing ..... ignorant of what is right and wrong they do not get out of misery ... they praise their own creed and blame that of their opponents." In a passage of fierce denunciation it has been said that the heretics will never be saved from the sufferings of the world. In the Sthānanga Sūtra false belief is spoken as 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, Antahkrtadaśa and Praśnavyäkaraṇānga Sūtras also contain occasional references to micchädamsanasalla.
In the Upāsakadašā 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
1 Ācār.S. 1.1.2.2; L.i.3.4; 1.1.6.3.; with a slight variation in 1.1.7.2.
Ibid. I.vii.1.1-8. *Sūt.s. I.i.2.5-10. • Ibid. I.I.ii. 15-23. • Ibid. II.ii.79-81. . Sth.s. i.48; Bhag. 1.6, 52.
Upās.S.i.44. • Ibid. i.58.