Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India

Author(s): Pranabananda Jash
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India
(Jainas), so that they should remain employed (for their good). With regard to various (miscellaneous) sects too I have done this that they should remain employed (for their good)...." This shows that the Jainas as an influential sect enjoyed special favour of Asoka. Had they been without influence and of small numbers Asoka would hardly have known of them, or at least would not have singled them out from the other sects. The successors of Asoka also greatly contributed to the spread of Jainism.
Accordirg to the tradition preserved in Hemacandra's Parisistaparvan12 Asoka's grandson, Samprati, who resided at Ujjayini, dedicated himself to the cause of Jainism and sent missionaries to the Andhra and Dramila countries in south India. He is said to have been converted by Suhastin, the celebrated pupil of Sthulabhadra. He is also credited to have established numerous Jaina temples in different places, 13 but no remains are extant today.
It is interesting to note in this connection that the Kalpa-sūtra mentions the following places where Mahāvīra spent the rainy seasons since he had renounced the life of a house-holder.
(i) Asthigrāma—first rainy season (ii! Campā and Prsthacampā—next three rainy seasons (iii) Vaiśāli and Vānijyagrāma-next twelve rainy seasons (iv) Rājagļha and Nälardā-next fourteen rainy seasons (v) Mithila---next six rainy seasons (vi) Bhadrika-next two rainy seasons (vii) Alabhika--next rainy season (viji) Panitabhūmi--next rainy season (ix) Srāvasti--next rainy season (x) Pāpā-last rainy season
An identification of these places will show that Mahāvīra spent almost all the forty-two rainy seasons in several places of Bihar. Needless to point out that the identification of some places are not certain. Asthigrāma, according to some scholars, was the same place as Hathigama (Hastigrāma) which lay on the highroad from Vaiśāli to Pävā. But in the commentary on the Kalpa-sūtra Asthigrāma was formerly called Vardhamāna. It would perhaps be more correct to say that Asthigrāma was the earlier name of Vardhamāna (modern Burdwan, West Bengal).14
Campā was the capital of Anga and was formerly known as