Schools and Sects in Jaina Literature

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

Page 22

SCHOOLS AND SECTS IN JAINA LITERATURE
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sometime during the years of their probation. Difference of opinion on very important matters separated the two as we can infer from the Bhagavali account. Their joint life must have been of short duration, one year only,--which was prolonged in later accounts to six years.
(II) THE BRAHAMANIC SCHOOLS. About the cult of popular Brahmanism we have many references in Jaina literature. Many Brāhmaṇas and Sramaņas support it, they claim to have seen, heard, acknowledged, thoroughly understood in the upper, nether, and side-long directions, and in all ways to have examined it ; with such extensive experience and deep wisdom they declare that all sorts of living beings may be slain or tormented or treated with violence or abused or driven away, and there is no wrong in it.“
The creation and governance of the world by the gods, as taught by some philosophers, has been regarded as an error. This can be attributed to the Brahmans, for no other contemporary school would regard the gods as creators or governors of the world.
The creation of the universe, according to a "great Rşi” whose name is neither mentioned in the text nor preserved by Silāņka or Harşakula, is by Svayambhū ;*' according to some Brāhmaṇas and Sramaņas it is from the primeval egg. Both of these evidently refer to Brahmanical views and this conclusion is corroborated by the allusions to the doctrine of Brahman almost in the same breath with these Brahmanical views, for the doctrine of Brahman, as we know, sprang from followers of Brahmanism.
Owning of possessions and engaging in undertakings is held to be compatible with reaching perfection by some ;45 this suggests the Brahmanical priests who would support a non-ascetic religion of rituals and ceremonies and themselves possess wealth and properties. Buddha's criticism of the Brahmans as owners of property in contrast with the possessionless Brahmã whom they worshipped is significant in this connection."
The gods are declared by some as putting an end to misery." The
4. Bhag. 15.554. "Acar.s. I.iv.2.3. + Sat.s. I.1.8.5.
Sät.S. I.i.8.7. u Sat.S. I.i.9.8. " Süt S. I.i.4.8. “Cf. Tevijjia Sutta. " Süt.S. I.xy.16-17.