Jain Dharm Parampara Ek Aetihasik Sarvakshen - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Dharm Parampara Ek Aitihasik Sarvekshan" by Devendramuni Shastri, focusing on the historical survey of Jainism from Rishabhadeva to Lonkashah:

This book, authored by Devendramuni Shastri, provides a historical survey of the Jain religious tradition, tracing its lineage from the very first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, up to the influential figure of Lonkashah.

Key Figures and Their Contributions:

Lord Rishabhadeva: The text establishes Rishabhadeva as the founder of Jainism in the current descending cycle of time (Avasarpini). He is recognized as a revered figure in Jain, Buddhist, and Vedic traditions. Although his historicity cannot be proven by modern history due to his prehistoric existence, his parents were Nabhi and Marudeva, and his consorts were Sumangala and Sunanda. He had numerous children, including Bharata and Bahubali, who received extensive training in various arts and sciences. Rishabhadeva is credited with ending the Kulakar system, establishing kingship, introducing politics, solving food shortages through agriculture, teaching 72 arts to Bharata and knowledge of animal characteristics to Bahubali, and imparting knowledge of scripts and mathematics to Brahmi and Sunanda respectively. He instituted the 'Asi-Masi-Krishi' (weapons, writing, agriculture) and the Varna-Vyavastha (caste system). After renouncing his kingdom to Bharata, he took diksha (initiation) with 4,000 individuals. After a year without receiving alms, his grandson Shreyans offered him sugarcane juice, marking the origin of the Akshaya Tritiya festival. He attained Kevaljnana (omniscience) after a thousand years, established the Sangha (community), and his pure soul attained liberation on the Ashtapad mountain, leading to the observance of Shivaratri.
The 22 Tirthankaras: Following Rishabhadeva, the text lists the subsequent 22 Tirthankaras: Ajit, Sambhav, Abhinandan, Sumati, Padmaprabh, Suparshva, Chandraprabh, Suvidhi (Pushpadanta), Shital, Shreyans, Vasupujya, Vimal, Anant, Dharma, Shanti, Kuntthu, Ar, Malli, Munisuvrata, Nami, Nemi, and Parshvanatha.
Lord Arishtanemi: Modern scholars consider Lord Arishtanemi a historical great personality. He was the cousin of Lord Krishna and is mentioned in ancient texts like the Rigveda. His influence is also indicated in the Yajurveda, Samaveda, Chandogya Upanishad, Mahabharata, and Puranas. He refused to marry Rajamati, the daughter of King Ugrasena, in protest against animal sacrifice for meat. He renounced his worldly life, became a monk, attained Kevaljnana, and achieved liberation on Raivatachal (Girnar). His campaign against meat consumption remains significant in history, and Lord Krishna was one of his great devotees.
Lord Parshvanatha: A prince from Varanasi, Lord Parshvanatha was born around 850 BCE. In his era, various unreasoned practices were prevalent among ascetics. Even as a householder, he preached non-violence to the Kamatha, who was practicing intense austerities, and rescued a snake from a burning pyre. After becoming a monk, he achieved omniscience through severe penance and propagated conduct-based spiritual practice. He attained Nirvana on Sammedashikhar. Both Western and Eastern scholars acknowledge his historicity. According to the Attakatha of Anguttara Nikaya, Bappa, the uncle of Lord Buddha, was a Nirgrantha follower. It is believed that Buddha adopted the tradition of Parshvanatha in his early ascetic life. Jain scriptures describe Parshvanatha with epithets like Purushadaniya, Lokapujita, Sambuddhatma, Sarvajna, and Lokapradeepa, highlighting his radiant personality.
Lord Mahavira: Lord Mahavira is portrayed as a brilliant star in world history, born in the 6th century BCE in Kundagrama, near Vaishali. His parents were King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. His name Vardhamana signified his prosperity. He married Yashoda and had a daughter, Priyadarshana. After the demise of his parents, at the age of 28, he wished to take diksha, but due to his elder brother Nandivardhana's insistence, he remained in worldly life for two more years. At 30, he renounced his home, becoming a solitary Nirgrantha ascetic. He endured severe hardships inflicted by gods, demons, humans, and animals with a serene mind. His penance was more rigorous than other Tirthankaras. After twelve years of practice, in the thirteenth year, he attained Kevaljnana under a Sala tree. He then went to Pawapuri, where he converted eleven eminent scholars, including Indrabhuti Gautama, into his disciples, along with 4,400 of their followers. He established the fourfold Sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen) and appointed the eleven scholars as Gandharas. His community consisted of 14,000 monks, 36,000 nuns, 159,000 laymen, and 318,000 laywomen. Several kings, including Virankak, Virayash, Sanjay, Eneya, Sey, Shiv, Udayan, and Shankh Kashi-vardhan, embraced asceticism after hearing his teachings. King Shrenik's sons and queens, wealthy individuals like Dhanna and Shalibhadra, and people from lower castes and those with criminal pasts like Arkamara, Harikeshi, and Arjuna Malakar also took diksha. Chetak, the head of the republic, was Mahavira's chief follower, and 18 kings from Malla and Lichchhavi republics were also his devotees. Mahavira spent thirty years traveling, spreading his teachings, and his final Chaturmas was in Pava. He attained Nirvana at the age of 72, marking the beginning of Diwali.

Key Disciples (Gandharas) and Successors:

Indrabhuti Gautama: Mahavira's chief disciple, Gautama was from Gobar village. He was a rigorous ascetic, well-versed in the fourteen Purvas, and possessed immense spiritual powers. The Jain Agamas largely consist of dialogues between Mahavira and Gautama.
Sudharma: A Brahmin from Kollagasannivesha, Sudharma was a disciple of Mahavira and lived for a hundred years, becoming the head of the Sangha after Mahavira's Nirvana.
Arya Jambu: A disciple of Sudharma, Jambu attained Kevaljnana and led the Sangha for eight years. He is credited with the preservation of the available Agamas. His passing marked the discontinuation of ten specific spiritual attainments.
Arya Prabhavasvami: He succeeded Jambu and became a prominent Acharya, leading the Sangha for a considerable period.
Arya Shyayambhav: He succeeded Prabhavasvami and is known for composing the Dashavaikalika Sutra for his son Manaka.
Arya Yashobhadra: A chief disciple of Shyayambhav, he served as a Yugapradhana Acharya for fifty years.
Arya Sambhutivijaya and Arya Bhadrabahu: These were the two successors of Yashobhadra. Bhadrabahu is highlighted as a luminary of Jain culture, the pioneer of Jain literature creation, an Agama commentator, historian, and literary artist. He is considered the fifth Shruta-kevali and a Chaturdasha Purvadhar. Many important texts, including Dashashrutaskandha and Kalpasutra, are attributed to him. He presided over the first recitation of Agamas in Pataliputra. His disciples, including Sthulabhadra, learned the Agamas from him.
Arya Sthulabhadra: A significant figure, Sthulabhadra overcame worldly temptations, including those from the courtesan Kosha, and became a Yugapradhana Acharya. He played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of Jain knowledge.
Arya Mahagiri and Arya Suhasti: These were disciples of Sthulabhadra. Mahagiri was an intense ascetic who handed over the leadership to Suhasti. Suhasti's time saw the beginning of some laxity, which was later corrected.
Arya Sthit and Arya Pratibaddha: Disciples of Suhasti, they also attained Acharya-ship and were instrumental in the second Agama recitation.

The Lineage of Acharyas and the Evolution of Jain Tradition:

The text then meticulously traces the lineage of Acharyas and Vachakacharyas (commentators and custodians of scriptures), highlighting key figures and their contributions:

Vachakavamsha/Vidyadharavamsha: A significant tradition of Vachakas is presented, including Acharya Suhasti, Umashvati (author of Tattvarthasutra), Sandilya/Skandila, Nagahasti, Devardhigani Kshamashraman, and Kalakacharya.
Yugapradhana Pattavali: A chronological list of Yugapradhana Acharyas is provided, starting from Sudharma to various later Acharyas, indicating their periods of influence in relation to the Vir Nirvana era. This section includes figures like Jambu Swami, Prabhavaswami, Shyayambhav, Yashobhadra, Bhadrabahu, Sthulabhadra, Mahagiri, Suhasti, Shyamacharya, Skandila, Revatimitra, Dharmasuri, and others.
Arya Indradinna: An influential Acharya who prevented the Ashwamedha sacrifice and preached Ahimsa.
Arya Kalaka: Four Acharyas bore this name. The first is credited with composing the Prajnapana Sutra. The second, a resident of Dharanagari, is renowned for his intervention against King Gardabhilla and his travels to Persia. He also observed Samvatsari on the fourth day due to royal insistence, a decision noted as an exception.
Arya Simhagiri and Arya Vajraswami: Vajraswami, a disciple of Simhagiri, is noted for his strict adherence to principles and for saving the Sangha during a famine.
Vajrasena: A successor of Vajraswami, who also navigated a severe famine and re-united the fragmented Sangha.
Arya Rakshit: Known for his erudition and his role in classifying the Agamas into four Anuyogas (Dravyanuyoga, Charan-karananuyoga, Ganitanuyoga, and Dharmakathanuyoga). He is credited with the Agam recitation around 562 CE.
Arya Devardhigani Kshamashraman: Considered the preserver of the current Jain Agamas. He led a significant Sangha meeting in Vallabhi, where the Agamas were compiled into written form. He is credited with harmonizing differing interpretations of the Agamas.
Arya Siddhasen Divakar: A pioneering figure in Jain logic and Sanskrit literature. His works, like Sanmatitarka and Dwātrinśikās, are foundational in presenting Jain philosophy logically. He is also known for his devotional hymns.
Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman: A prominent composer of Churni literature. He is associated with the Vallabhi tradition and is credited with recovering the Mahanishitha Sutra. His significant works include Visheshavasthak Bhashya.
Jindas Gani Mahattar: Another key figure in Churni literature, following Jinabhadra Gani.
Acharya Haribhadra: A highly influential Acharya, he wrote Sanskrit commentaries on Agama texts, bringing structure to existing commentaries and employing a balanced approach to different philosophical systems.
Bappabhatta Suri: A learned Brahmin who converted the King of Gwalior and others to Jainism.
Acharya Shilanka: Known for his commentaries on the Agamas, particularly Acharanga and Sutrakritanga.
Shri Siddhashisuri: Author of the notable work "Upamithibhavaprapancha."
Acharya Abhayadeva: A prolific commentator on the Agamas, known for his clear and scholarly expositions.
Kalikal Sarvajna Acharya Hemachandra: A towering figure in Jain literature, philosophy, and grammar. He influenced the ruler Siddharaja Jayasimha and authored numerous seminal works across various disciplines.
Acharya Malayagiri: Esteemed for his profound commentaries on Jain Agamas, his works display deep scholarship, clarity of language, and stylistic elegance.

The book highlights the contributions of many other great Acharyas who enriched Jain literature, while acknowledging the vastness of the subject and the impossibility of mentioning all. It concludes by mentioning the origins of different Gacchas (lineages) and the gradual introduction of certain laxities, as well as the establishment of Chaityavas (temple-dwelling practices) in later centuries.