Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c5.s6.11

c5.s6.11

This is the legend about schism told by the Śvetāmbaras. The Digambaras relate another legend about the origin of the schism which differs from that of the Śvetāmbaras. According to this, during the reign of Candragupta in Ujjenī Bhadrabāhu predicted that there would be a terrible famine in the country which would last for twelve years. At this Viṣākhācārya, a disciple of Bhadrabāhu led the Saṅgha to the Puṇṇāta kingdom, while Rāmilla, Sthūlabhadra and Bhadrācārya, emigrated to the country of Sindhu. In course of time when all of them returned to Ujjenī, there was still famine in the country, so they allowed the monks to wear a piece of garment (*ardhaphālakam puraḥ kṛtvā*) while going for alms. When the famine was over, however, the monks were asked to give up the use of the garment since it was not in pursuance of the strict requirement of Mahāvīra’s order, but some monks would not follow their elders’ advice. Thus came into existence the schism of the Digambara and Śvetāmbaras in the Jain order.⁸¹