Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

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

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vassavasa and special features of the retreat are added at the end of the section. The third section of the chapter deals with pavārana which takes place on the completion of the Vassäväsa. The nearest approximate Jaina concept corresponding to pavārana is khamāvana (ksamāpana), which is observed at the end of Jaina pajjusana of the Svetămbara sect and the dasalak şanaparva of the Digambara.
The first section of the fourth chapter deals with the custodians of monastic discipline with following components--the church units and the hierarchy of officers. A comparison has been made of the Buddhist administration with Jaina hierarchy of officers namely, ācārya, upadhyāya, ganadhara, gani, ganāvacchedaka, etc. The Buddhist administration appears more elaborate, practical and realistic. The Jaina church depended more on austerities and penance than on external legal acts of the order.
he second section of the chapter deals with church polity with special emphasis on settlement of disputes by means of adhikaranasamathas. The scanty material on the subject, found in the Jaina canon, is recorded. The
lem of seniority and succession in both the churches is also explained in this connection. The third section of the chapter is a comparative study of the Buddhist Pratimokşa and the Jaina Prayascitta. In this connection we have dealt with the list of transgressions and expiations as prescribed in the Buddhist canon and compared them with similar classification referred to in the canonical texts of the Svetambara sect. The Buddhists seem to have insisted mainly on mental purification while the Jainas both on mental as well as physical,
In the concluding chapter I have recorded the salient findings of my studies in their brief outlines.
I have recorded the result of my studies dispassionately and tried to keep away from prejudices and predispositions to the best of my ability. The extent of success achieved is to be judged by the critics. Jainism and Buddhism flourished side by side and influenced each other in the sphere of common interest. Our study is limited to the field of monastic life and administration, in one word, the external expression of a religious order. The points of agreement were necessitated owing to similar needs and necessities of life and the points of difference in many cases were dictated by the moral and mental maxims upheld by the two churches, the Buddhist and the Jaina.
Now I must place on record my obligation and indebtedness to my Gurus and well-wishers who helped me in the completion of my work in one way or the other. I express my deep sense of gratefulness to my Gurus, Professors Dr. Satkari Mookerjee, ex-Director, Nava Nalanda