Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India

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

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Jainism in Eastern India
refers to the Nirgranthas of Pundravardhana during the life-time of Asoka. The recent discovery of a terracotta votive plaque from Farakka in the Murshidabad district showing the sacred Wheel and the tri-ratna flanked by what appears to be a goose reminds us the symbolic motifs of the Jaina A yagapattas. On stylistic ground the object is assigned to the Maurya-Sunga period. Such was the state of Jainism in Bengal in the pre-Christian era.
As regards the prevalence of the Nirgranthas in Bengal in the early centuries of the Christian era mention may be made of an inscription from Mathura which in all probability refers to a Jaina monk who was an inhabitant of Rādha in Bengal.56 There are enough evidences to show that Jainism established its stronghold in Bengal during the time of the Guptas. The Paharpur (Rajshahi, Bangladesh) inscription dated in the Gupta era 159 (AD 478-79) records a gift of land by a Brāhmaṇa couple for a Jaina vihāra”? of Vața-gokäli ‘which was presided over by the disciples and the disciples of d sciples of the Nirgrantha-nāthācārya Guhanandin belonging to the pañca-stupa section of Benaras.'58 Vatagohāli is identified with the present viljage Goalbhita where the ruins of a big temple have been unearthed. From the record of this inscription we may unhesitatingly conclude that the Jaina vihāra was founded long before AD 478-79, as there is a reference to three generations of preceptors (ācāryas). And these preceptors were
ted to a Jaina school of Benaras which was undoubtedly a great centre of Jainism at that period. It is also interesting to note further that being a Brāhmaṇa couple the endowment has been
e in favour of a Jaina vihāra. It shows the catholicity and broadmindedness of the people of the land.
The flourishing condition of this faith in Bengal is attested to by the account of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang who visited this country in the first half of the seventh century AD. According to this Buddhist scholar of China, the Nirgranthas59 firmly established their position in the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country. His narrative also affords us a comparative estimate of the contemporary religious sects in Bengal. While assessing the religious condition of Pundravardhana North Bengal) and Samatata (East Bengal), he observed:
"There were twenty Buddhist Monasteries and above 3000 Brethren by whom the 'Great and Little Vehicles' were followed: the Deva Temples were 100 in number, and the followers of the