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A Study in the Origins and Development of Jainism
First Nihnava :
This nihnava is known as bahurayavāda and was started by Jāmāli the son-in-law of Mahāvīra. Jāmāli has been referred to in a number of Jain texts such as Viseşāva syaka bhãśya, Āva syaka Haribhadriya Tīkā, Sthānānga commentary and Uttarādhayayana commentary by Nemichandra.
Jāmāli, a resident of Kshatriya Kunda, was initiated as a monk by Mahāvīra. However, he developed doctirnal difference with Mahấvīra and finally separated himself with his followers from the samgha and started the first nihnava fourteen years after Mahāvīra obtained omniscience. The sect started by him could not last long and finally most of his followers rejoined the original saṁgha.
Second Nihnava :
The second nihnava is known as jīvapaesiya nihnava and was started by Tişyagupta sixteen years after the attainment of kaivalya by Mahāvīra. He disagreed with the tenet that jiva is the composition of all the parts of an animate being into one whole and instead held that the last part of the soul which completes its composition is jīva. The sect started by Tişyagupta also could not last long. Finally, his followers realised the falsity of his views and came back to the original samgha.
Third Nihnava:
The third nihnava is known as avvattagavādin. This schism was started by Aşadhabhūti at Seyaviya two hundred fourteen years after the death of Mahavīra. The adherents of this sect believed that there is nothing vyakta in the world. Hence they disregarded all the external observances. This is precisely the reason that this nihnava has been named Avyakta nihnava.
