Tapagaccha Bruhad Paushalik Shakha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about the Tapagaccha Brihad Paushalik Shakha, translated into English:

Book Title: Tapagaccha Brihad Paushalik Shakha Author: Shivprasad

Core Origin and Name:

The Brihad Paushalik Shakha (Great Paushadh House Branch) of the Tapagaccha emerged from Acharya Vijayachandrasuri, the junior disciple of the founder of the Tapagaccha, Acharya Jagachandrasuri. The name "Brihad Paushalik" (Great Paushadh House) originated because Vijayachandrasuri stayed for twelve years in the larger paushadhshala (place for religious observances, particularly fasting and meditation) in Stambhatirtha (Khambhat). This was in contrast to his elder monastic brother, Devendrasuri, who resided in a smaller, separate paushadhshala in the same city.

Historical Development and Key Figures:

• Early History: The text traces the lineage back to Jagachandrasuri, with his two disciples, Vijayachandrasuri (founder of Brihad Paushalik) and Devendrasuri (associated with the Laghu Paushalik, or Smaller Paushadh House Branch), residing separately in Stambhatirtha.
• Scholarly Contributions: The Brihad Paushalik branch produced numerous learned monks, including Acharya Kshemakirti, Acharya Ratnakarasuri, Jayatilak Suri, Ratnasinh Suri, Jinratna Suri, Udayavallabh Suri, Jnanasagar Suri, Udaysagar Suri, Dhanaratna Suri, Devaratna Suri, Devsundar Suri, and Nayasundar Gani.
• Evidence Sources: The history of this branch is studied through literary evidence such as the prashastis (commendatory verses) of works by associated monks, the prashastis of copied manuscripts, and a pattavali (list of succession of gurus) compiled in the 17th century by Nayasundar Gani. Additionally, many inscribed images of Jinas installed by monks of this branch, dating from V.S. 1459 to V.S. 1781, provide crucial historical data.
• Acharya Vijayachandrasuri: No specific literary works by Vijayachandrasuri himself are known, but he is credited with contributing to the composition of some works by his elder monastic brother, Devendrasuri. His disciples included Vajrasen, Padmachandra, and Kshemakirti.
• Acharya Kshemakirti: A notable disciple of Vijayachandrasuri, Kshemakirti composed a vast commentary on the Brihadkalpa Sutra, spanning 42,000 verses, in V.S. 1332 / E.S. 1276. His guru lineage, as recorded in its prashasti, is provided: Dhanehsvar Suri -> Bhuvanachandrasuri -> Devabhadra Gani -> Jagachandrasuri -> Devendrasuri -> Vijayachandrasuri -> Kshemakirti.
• The Pattavali: The Brihad Paushalik Shakha Pattavali lists the lineage from Vijayachandrasuri down to Dhanaratna Suri and his disciples, detailing key figures like Vajrasen, Kshemakirti, Padmachandra, Hemkalash Suri, Nayasundar Gani, Ratnakarasuri, Ratnasinh Suri, Udayavallabh Suri, Jnanasagar Suri, Udaysagar Suri, and Labdhisagar Suri.
• Acharya Hemkalash Suri: A disciple of Kshemakirti, Hemkalash Suri is mentioned as a co-editor of Acharya Devendrasuri's Dharmaratnaprakaranatika.
• Acharya Ratnakarasuri: A prominent figure and disciple of Hemkalash Suri, Ratnakarasuri's influence led to this branch also being known as the Ratnakara Gaccha. There is a discussion about his potential identity with the author of Ratnakara Panchavishatika, though this is debated based on dating.
• Acharya Jayatilak Suri: A disciple of Abhayasingh Suri, Jayatilak Suri authored Abuchaitrapravaradhi (circa V.S. 1456). His disciples influenced the copying of the Anuyogadvarachurni and Kumarpalpratibodh.
• Acharya Ratnasinh Suri: A highly influential Acharya of the Brihad Paushalik Shakha, Ratnasinh Suri's name appears in over fifty inscription records of installed images between V.S. 1459 and V.S. 1518. He had numerous disciples, including Manikyasundar Gani, Udayamandan, Udayadharma, and Charitrasundar Gani.
• Emergence of Other Branches: Ratnasagar Suri, a disciple of Jayatilak Suri, established the Bhrugukaccha branch of the Brihad Paushalik Shakha / Ratnakara Gaccha. Ratnasinh Suri's lineage continued as the main branch of the Brihad Tapagaccha, while Jayasekhar Suri's disciple Jinratna Suri led a separate lineage.
• Acharya Udayavallabh Suri: A disciple and successor of Ratnasinh Suri, Udayavallabh Suri composed Kshetsamasabala bodh around V.S. 1520. He had two notable disciples: Ratnachula Mahattara and Pravartini Vivekshri.
• Acharya Jnanasagar Suri: Successor to Udayavallabh Suri, Jnanasagar Suri authored Vimalnathcharitra and other works. His disciple Lokka established the Lokka Gaccha, leading to a division in the Shvetambara sect.
• Acharya Udaysagar Suri: Successor to Jnanasagar Suri, Udaysagar Suri is known for installing Jina images between V.S. 1532 and V.S. 1573.
• Acharya Labdhisagar Suri: A successor to Udaysagar Suri, Labdhisagar Suri authored works like Dhvajakumara Chaupai (V.S. 1556) and Shripala Katha (V.S. 1557). His disciples included Dhanaratna Suri and Saubhagya Sagar Suri.
• Acharya Dhanaratna Suri: A disciple of Labdhisagar Suri, Dhanaratna Suri had a large following, including Amararatna Suri, Tejratna Suri, Devaratna Suri, and Bhanumeru Gani.
• Later Figures: The lineage continued with figures like Tejratna Suri, Devsundar Suri, and Jayachandrasuri, whose disciples are also mentioned. The last known mention of this lineage is around the 18th century with the continuation of the lineage from Tejratna Suri.

Key Works and Authorship:

The text highlights numerous works composed by or associated with the monks of this branch, including commentaries, rasas (narrative poems), stotras (hymns), and historical accounts. Notable authors and their works mentioned include Kshemakirti (Brihadkalpasutravritti), Jayatilak Suri (Abuchaitrapravaradhi), Manikyasundar Gani (Bhavaonasutrabalavabodh, Nemishwaracharita), Udayamandan (copyist of Uttaradhyayana Sutra Avachuri), Udayadharma (Vakyaprakash Autiktika), Charitrasundar Gani (Mahivalakatha, Kumarpalcharit, Shiladutakavya, Acharopadesha), Dayasingh Gani (Sangrahani Balavabodh, Kshetra Samas Balavabodh), Udayavallabh Suri (Kshetra Samas Balavabodh), Jnanasagar Suri (Vimalnathcharitra), Labdhisagar Suri (Dhvajakumara Chaupai, Shripala Katha), Udaysaubhagya (Haimaprakrut Dhundhika), Saubhagysurishishya (Champakamalaraas), Kanaksundar Gani (various works), Sumativijay (Ratnakirtisuri Chaupai, Ratribhojanaras), Padmasundar (Bhagavatisutra Balavabodh), Nayasingh Gani (Chaturvinsati Jinastuti), Nayasundar (numerous works including Roopratnamala, Shatrujayoḍḍharastavan, Prabhavati, Surasundari Rasa, Naladamayanti Charitra, Brihad Paushalik Pattavali), and Lavanyadev (Karmavivaranras).

Significance:

The text meticulously details the genealogical succession and literary contributions of the Brihad Paushalik Shakha, establishing its significant role in the history and intellectual tradition of Jainism within the Tapagaccha. It highlights the branch's prolific output of scholarly works and its role in the propagation of Jain Dharma through the installation of images and the continuous tradition of monastic leadership.