Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c18.8

c18.8

The monks themselves realised the importance of seeing and studying the various factors in the countries which they visited. Thus in the Bṛhatkalpa Bhāṣya, which may perhaps be dated to the early century of the Christian era, elaborate instructions are given to the monks who toured from year to year the various parts of the country. It is mentioned that by seeing the country the monks purify their souls and gain equanimity of mind. These regular tours taught them many languages and afforded them opportunities to examine the various republics which they visited at length. This knowledge they brought back home and utilised in instructing their pupils and followers (1·1226). Among the various requisites of a monk it was expected of him that he should be accomplished in various regional languages (ibid., 1230). In the course of their Janapada tours the attention of the monks was also engaged by such worldly factors as the various means of irrigation, the products of the various parts of the country, various trade centres and the local habits of the populace (ibid. 1239).