Universal Message of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 65

Mahāvīra: The Great Wanderer
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became the eleven Ganadharas. They formed the nucleus of the new order and composed all the rules of conduct and the scriptural literature, which they later narrated to other disciples.
The Sangha was instrumental in providing proper guidance to the monks and nuns and in inspiring the laymen and laywomen to look after the monks and nuns. In the Sangha, no distinction was made between men and women, and Brahmins and Sūdras. All were inspired, all were embraced and all were transformed. Initiation of women as nuns was indeed a revolution in those times. For Mahāvīra, it was just a natural culmination of his respect for humanity.
The Sangha expanded very quickly. Soon, there were 14,000 monks, 36,000 nuns, 1,59,000 laymen and 3,18,000 laywomen. Their code of conduct consisted of a five-fold spiritual discipline. These are five vratas or vows of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possession. This scheme of vows was very strict and rigid for the ascetics called the Mahāvratas (great vows). They were advised not to stay in any place for more than a month except during Cāturmāsa (the rainy season) and to wander about only on foot.
The householders had to follow similar five vows, but their rules were modified and less strict known as the Aņuvratas (small vows). Their duties extended to taking care of the ascetics, providing a temporary dwelling for them and propagating the cause of religion. This four-fold religious order was a selfgoverning and self-sufficient system.
For thirty long years, this great wanderer moved from place to place preaching the Jaina religion and its code of conduct as a way of life. He visited important places like Kāśī, Kośala, Vatsa,