________________
426
Now we have acquainted ourselves thus far with the sadhvis, let us attempt to clarify the way in which the sadhvis fit into the samgha, of which they are an integral part.
B- Caturvidhasamgha: The fourfold community
This expression refers to the Jaina community or brotherhood which is composed of munis, sadhvis, śrävakas and śrävikās. The term caturvidhasamgha is not found in the Agamas.18 In all probability after the nirvana of Mahavira, the pressing need was felt of some stable organisation, both to preserve the heritage of the already existing tradition and to strengthen links between the various members, living as they were in a pluralist society where struggles between the religious sects and political groups were sometimes violent. Looking back over a long period of history, one sees what a great contribution the caturvidhasamgha has made to the maintenance of a certain unity. It has permitted the continuity of the tradition, at least to a small extent, all over the country, and that through numerous vicissitudes.
The Unknown Pilgrims
Because of their situation of being anagari, the sadhvis form part of the local samgha wherever they find themselves in the course of their journeyings. This membership is temporary, no doubt, but operates in a very concrete fashion. The śrāvakas and śravikas of the localities where they stay welcome them, show them deference and expect much of them. They are there to help them and also, on occasion, to correct or criticise them. This interdependence has the disadvantage of taking away from the sadhvis a certain freedom, but it also has the immense advantage of forging links in a very spiritual fellowship which by no means overlooks practical questions as they arise. The sādhvis are the representatives of the living doctrine; being anagări within the samgha, they, together with the munis, are called to be its spiritual yeast.
The samgha refers to the general community, but in the various regions, under the influence of sundry ācāryas and doctrinal emphases, a number of separate units have come int being within the Jaina
18 Cf. I P 157 ff.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
