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
(Vaiśālı), Pāvā, and Savatthi (Srāvasti) as places where the activities of Mahāvīra and his immediate followers were concentrated. These texts clearly mention Vesali as the place where the religion of Mahāvira found its staunch supporters among the Licchavis.”3 The Anguttara-nikāya speaks of the Licchavi prince Abhaya worshipping Mahāvīra." Representatives of the dynasty of Saiśunāga-Bimbisāra and Ajātaśatru, were, as we noted earlier, related to Mahāvīra and professed Jainism. The Jaina-sútra” records how Bimbisāra had a debate with a Jaina monk as a result of which "the lion of kings ... together with his wives, servants and relations became staunch believer in the Law.” The Aupapātika narrates Ajātaśatru's visit to the place of Mahavira in order to listen sermon from the latter. The next king of this dynasty, Udayi, is also said to have built a Jaina monastery at Pāțaliputra.? Jainism during this time may have spread rapidly in other places. Jaina monks had easy access in his palace, and it was a disguised Jaina monk who assassinated this king. Again, the Nandas who had a considerable command throughout eastern India were Jainas. Candragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya dynasty, was a staunch follower of Jainism, particularly in his later days when he lived as an ascetic for twelve years and died in Sravaņa Belgola in Mysore.
Asoka, according to some scholars, professed Jainism in his early days and introduced this religion in Kashmir.is Even if we do not agree with this account, we have to believe that Aśoka interested himself not only in Buddhism which he professed in his later period, but he took care of all other religious sects in his dominions. In the fourteenth year of his reign, he appointed some officials (Dhamma mahāmātas) whose duty was to look after the life of the various communities, to settle their quarrels, to control the distribution of their legacies and pious gifts. In the twenty-ninth year of his reign Asoka thus issuing the following orders: "I have also employed the High state-officers called Dhamma-mahāmātas on many objects of favour or kindness, which may affect both ascetics and householders and they are also employed among all sects (or denominations). With regard to the interest of the congregation I have so ordered that they shall remain engaged in their good). I have done this with regard to the Brāhmaṇas and the Ajivikas also, so that they should remain employed (for their good). So also have I done this with regard to the Nirgranthas