Book Title: Studies in Jainism
Author(s): Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publisher: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
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THE ŚVETĀMBAR AND DIGAMBAR SECTS 119 of the Śri-sanghaor Caturvidhasangha, composed of sådhus and sâdhvis, srâvakas and srâvikâs, with equal share in the order.
No question of superiority or inferiority was involved. A soul is a soul whether it be of man or woman, and no obstacle stands in the way of full spiritual liberation for one who can destroy by nirjarà all karmas.
With such cardinal difference of principles, the followers could not remain united, and they gradually drifted apart. Those that advocated the most conservative ideas became known as the Digambar sect, and in order to establish the new theory, these Digambars had to discard the whole of the then existing Jaina canons, which are respected and recognized by the Svetâmbars alone, who are the other remaining original followers of Mahâvîra, propagating the same old principles as those of Mahâvîra.
I need hardly say that the Digambars hold just the opposite view and boast of their antiquity, placing the origin of the Svetâmbars at a very late period. There is good scope for research in this important and interesting subject of the antiquity of these sects. Any scholar can satisfy himself after a glance at page 25 of Vincent Smith's Jain stupa and other Antiquities of Mathurā that Lord Mahâvîra is depicted there as being taken from the womb of Devananda by Harinegameshi, a god. This ancient story is entirely discarded and has no place in any Digambar work, while every Śvetâmbar Jain believes the story of this garbhâpahara, which is another point of difference between the two sects. It has also to be noted that the different Ganas, Kulas, Sakhâsand Gacchas found inscribed on these relics of antiquity are identical with those mentioned in the Kalpasútra and other old Jain âgamas respected by the Svetâmbars, while these names do not occur in any of the Digambar works. And these facts above referred to are very significant in tracing the question of antiquity, as the sculptures with inscriptions are all genuine irrefutable pieces of evidence that place the Svetâmbars at a very early period.
Lord Mahâvira and his principles were as liberal as could
