Study of Jainism

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 89

Study of Jainism
500 of his followers. 31 In this way 11 Ganadharas, along with their five hundred followers each, became disciples of Mahavira.
We shall discuss the philosophical aspects of Jainism in the next part. We shall also present the brief picture of the pontifical hierarchy in the next section.
In his first sermon at Vipulacala mountain, and the subsequent sermons at Rajagraha and other places, Bhagavan Mahavira presented the essence of Jainism in the fundamental principles of Ahisma, Anekanta, and Aparigraha. He said that everything has its origin, permanence of the neucleus and the modes. The Dravya (substance) and the paryayas (modes) are equally real. There is diversity in unity. To deny the reality of diversity and multiplicity and to assert the exclusive reality of unity is dogmatic (ekānta). In the same way it is equally dogmatic to deny reality to the unity and the assert the exclusive reality to diversity. The one and the many are equally real. Reality is complex. It can be looked at from different points of view. Each point of view gives an aspect of reality which is equally real but partially real. But to assert that the picture of reality present from a particular point of view is the only real, is to be one-sided and dogmatic Anekanta expresses the Catholic approach to the problems of reality. Non-violence (ahimsa) is the expression of the spirit of anekanta in the sphere of action. And anekanta is intellectual non-violence. Similarly the spirit of anekanta pervades the life and thought of Jainas. Aparigraha is the expression of the spirit of anekanta in the social sphere of ethics. More about it in the next part.
Indrabhūti Gautama acquired the kinds of knowledge mati, s ruta, avadhi (clairvoyance) and manaḥparyaya (telepathic cognition) at the moment of his dikşa. Then he imbided the essence of the teachings of the master. With his vast knowledge of the Vedas as the background, he could become the master of transcendental knowledge. The 12 Argas and 14 Pūrvas were composed 32 His brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti mastered the Angas and the Pūrvas.