Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 108

ÞABBAIJĀ AND UÞASAMPADA Like the Buddhist Pitakas, the Jaina Āgamas too refer to householders embracing Jainism by a similar process which is described in great details. Now we intend to quote a typical example so that the procedure of conversion of lay-disciples may be explicit. Our favour goes to the conversion of Ananda, a renowned merchant of Vånijyagrāma.
Ananda, on getting the news that Lord Mahāvira has come to the temple called Datipalāsaka, outside the city of Vānijyagrāma, decided to pay a visit to him as association with the Blessed One was considered meritorious. Dressed in costly costumes and fineries, he came out of his own house on foot followed by a train of men holding a luxurious umbrella over him. Coming to the Lord, he bowed down to him perambulating round him thrice.
Then the Lord preached a religious discourse. Having been excited by the religious discourse of the Lord, Anand i said :
"I have faith, O Lord, in the doctrines of the Nigaptha; I trust, O Lord, the law of the Niganțha; I believe, O Lord, the religion of the Nigantha; it is, O Lord, true; it is, O Lord, right; it is, O Lord, not false that I do accept as has been preached by you; but I am not able to accept monk life in the manner in which many kings, etc., having got themselves shaved, renounced the household life and took initiation at your hands. I accept, o Lord, the religion comprising the twelvefold duties of a Jaina upāsaka (duvalasavihaṁgihidhammam), viz, the five Minor vows (pañcă nuvvaiyam) and the seven Disciplinary vows (sattasikkhāvvaiyar). As it pleases you, O Lord, I should not be debarred from it”.
Thus Ananda became a lay-disciple and henceforth observed the vows earnestly.
Now it is worthwhile to note that the procedure adopted by the Buddhists was gradually revised whereas that of the Jainas was fixed once for all. At the same time, it may also be noted that the ceremony of conversion to the Jaina fold, either as a monk or as a layman, was more festive than that of the Buddhists. . People of various social status, without any distinction, rushed to the Mahavira and the Buddha to give their best support and sympathy to them and their Orders as soon as they were convinced that there was such a need. Thus Lord Mahavira attracted a good number of persons from all classes of society. Worthy of mention
1. Uvāsagadasão, pp. 5-6.