Sudharmaswami Gandhara - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Sudharmaswami Gandhara, presented in English:

This document, from the "JAINQQ.org" catalog, titled "Sudharmaswami Gandhara" and published by the JAINA Education Committee, details the life and significance of Sudharmaswami, one of the chief disciples (Gana-dharas) of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara.

Key Points about Sudharmaswami:

Gana-dharas: The text begins by explaining that Gana-dharas are the first disciples of a Tirthankara. Lord Mahavir had eleven Gana-dharas, and his monastic community was divided among them.
After Lord Mahavir's Nirvana: When Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana (passed away), only two Gana-dharas were alive: Gautamaswami (the first) and Sudharmaswami (the fifth). The other nine had already attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and Nirvana.
Leadership of the Sangha: The day after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, Gautamaswami attained Kevala Jnana. According to the Shvetambara tradition, Kevala Jnanis remain in a state of meditation and do not lead the monastic community. Therefore, despite being the first disciple, Sudharmaswami, who had not yet attained Kevala Jnana, became the leader of the entire Jain monastic community and the Jain Sangha.
Early Life and Education: Sudharmaswami was born in Kollag, Bihar, to learned Brahmin parents, Dhammila and Bhaddila. They performed sincere devotion to Goddess Saraswati to have a son. Saraswati blessed them with a son possessing thirty-two auspicious signs. This son was named Sudharma, born in 607 BCE, eight years older than Lord Mahavir. Raised with loving care, Sudharma was sent to an ashram to study the Vedas, Upanishads, and all Hindu scriptures. He was a brilliant student and a popular scholar, establishing a Mahashala (great school) where approximately 500 students benefited from his teaching.
Encounter with Lord Mahavir: The text describes a grand Yajna (fire sacrifice) organized by a wealthy Brahmin named Somil in Pavapuri, Bihar. Many prominent scholars were invited, with Indrabhuti Gautam as the chief priest, accompanied by his learned brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti. Sudharma was also invited. As the sacrificial flames rose, celestial beings descended. The Brahmins believed they were coming to witness their Yajna. However, to their surprise, the celestial beings bypassed the Yajna and headed towards the Mahasen forest, where Lord Mahavir was about to deliver his first sermon after attaining Kevala Jnana.
Debate and Conversion: Indrabhuti Gautam, harboring pride in his knowledge and believing himself superior to Lord Mahavir, went with his disciples to debate him. Lord Mahavir welcomed Indrabhuti by name, surprising him. Lord Mahavir then addressed Indrabhuti's doubt about the existence of the soul. Through various examples and arguments, Lord Mahavir resolved Indrabhuti's doubts, and Indrabhuti, along with his disciples, became a follower of Mahavir.
Conversion of Brothers and Others: When Indrabhuti did not return, his brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti, and then another scholar Vyakt, also went to Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir welcomed them by name and clarified their doubts about the soul and karma. Satisfied by Mahavir's knowledge, they, along with their disciples, also became followers.
Sudharma's Doubt and Conversion: Finally, it was Sudharma's turn. Sudharma believed that a person, upon death, is reborn as the same species, just as an apple tree produces apple seeds. Lord Mahavir welcomed him and patiently explained that a person can be reborn as a human, a god, or an animal, depending entirely on their karma. Sudharma's doubts were cleared, and he thoroughly understood the principle of karma. Sudharma, with his 500 disciples, also became a disciple of Lord Mahavir, and thereafter known as Sudharmaswami. The remaining six Brahmin scholars also became Gana-dharas. Somil abandoned his Yajna and released all the sacrificial animals.
Role in Dissemination of Teachings: Lord Mahavir was 42 years old when he attained Kevala Jnana. For the next 30 years, he traveled, spreading the message of compassion and the path to liberation. Throughout this time, Sudharmaswami sat attentively, listening to Lord Mahavir's discourses and meticulously documenting them. These compiled discourses are known as the Agamas.
Leadership After Mahavir's Nirvana: After Lord Mahavir's Nirvana in 527 BCE, Sudharmaswami led the Jain community for 12 years, extensively propagating Lord Mahavir's message far and wide.
Compilation of Agamas: The Shvetambara tradition believes that during his tenure, Sudharmaswami organized Lord Mahavir's teachings into 12 sections known as the 12 Anga-Agamas, also called Dwadashangi (the twelve limbs). Most of the Agamas contain question-and-answer sessions between Jambuswami and Sudharmaswami, which are considered Lord Mahavir's teachings.
Attainment of Omniscience and Nirvana: Sudharmaswami became Sarvajna (omniscient) in 515 BCE. After this, the responsibility of organizing the religious system fell to his chief disciple, Jambuswami. As a Sarvajna, Sudharmaswami lived for 8 years and attained Nirvana in 507 BCE at the age of 100.
Significance in Jain Scriptures: The Jain scriptures are called Agamas. The 12 Anga-Agamas are considered the primary books within the Agamas. Their composition is based on the teachings of Lord Mahavir by the Gana-dharas. (The Digambara tradition states that the Anga-Agamas were composed by Gana-dhara Gautamaswami, but over time, all Agamas have become obscured). The outer Agamas explain these Anga-Agamas with commentary, compiled by acharyas. Therefore, Gana-dhara Shri Sudharmaswami is considered the first Guru of the Shvetambara Jain monastic community and the first compiler of Jain scriptures.