Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 508

Sec. 17
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
483
Caitya in Rājagrha and that most of his teachings as embodied in the BIS were delivered at this place on various subjects in the assembly of his followers, for it was a great centre of his activities.
Here came king Seņiya-Bimbisāra and queen Cellanā, followed by their retinue of officials, servants, etc., to attend his holy teachings. At this Caitya the Master made a reference to the monk-disciples of Lord Pārsvanātha's order," living at the Puspavati Caitya in the city of Jungikā in his time.
It is here again that Lord Mahāvīra converted some followers of Lord Pārsvanātha's order to his doctrine of Paficamahāvrata Sapratikramana Dharma from that of Cāturyāma Dharma by his holy teachings of explanation on the number of worlds, its shape and multitudes of people, infinite nights and days and their revolution.
At this Gunasilaka Caitya he initiated and converted the other Tirthikas, namely, Kālodāyin, Selodāyin, Sevālodāyin, Udaya, Nāmudāya, Tammudāya, Annavālaya, Selavālaya, Sankhavālaya and Subatthi on their express desire to Sramaņa Dharma by his religious discourse on the doctrine of Astikāya'.' His visit to Srāvasti
Lord Mahāvīra paid two august visits to the city of Srāvasti and stayed there at the Kosthaka Caityu with his followers. On the first occasion he initiated Sankha to asceticism on his express desire by explaining the significance of the observance of Pausadha Vrata (vow of fast) and the binding of eight Karmaprakstis by beings under the sway of passions, viz. anger, pride deceitfulness and greed."
On the second occasion Lord Mahāvīra revealed in the assembly of his followers there at the Kosthaka Caitya the incident of the birth of Gośāla Mankbaliputra in the cowshed of Gobahula at Saravana and the account of his life and association with the Master as his disciple, when the Ājivika leader passed time in the premises of Hālahalā, the potteress, in that city by proclaiming
: 10, 5, 9, 226.
i Bhs, 1, 1, 4.
16, 7, 10, 305.
? 16, 2, 5, 107. 6 Ib, 12, 1, 437-38-39.