________________
Tirthankara Vardhamana Mahavira
103
naked. This practice depended on the physical and mental acquipment and capacity of the monks. Kalpasūtra 6 gives the description of the distinction stating that the Acelaka muni was Jinakalpita (approved by Jina) and the Sacelaka was Sthavira-kalpita (approved by the elders). We have also referred to the Sangha of Parsvanatha which had niggantha munis (naked munis). In the Buddhist literature, Mahavira has been described as Nigganta Nataputta. It is difficult to say as to when the schism between the two sects of the Digambara and Svetambara became pronounced. It appears that when the logical disputations began to gain ground the Ācāryas took up the hair-splitting arguments to establish the respective superiority. The distinction had became an issue for argument by the time of Kundakunda dcarya. It is referred to in the Sarprabhsia. However, attempts were made to bring the two sects together by the Yapaniya Sangha. In this Sangha the monks accepted the Digambara tradition of acelakatva for salvation as also the possibility of women getting salvation.
Epilogue - III
REFERENCES :
1. Jacobi (H) : Kalpasūtra, Introduction.
2. Dhavala : Introduction pp. 1. 3. Dasavaikalikasūtra : 620.
4.
ibid,
5. Devendra Muni Sastri : Jaina Āgama Sahitya : Manana Our
Mimaṁsa (Hindi) (Taraka Guru Jaina Granthamala) 71, 1977 pp. 562.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
