Jain Ācārya Sthūlabhadra

Swami Brahmeshananda writes a biographical sketch of Sthūlabhadra, a revered Ācārya in the Śvetāmbara Jain tradition. Born into a Brahmin family during the Mauryan period, Sthūlabhadra became renowned for his mastery of the fourteen Purvas (ancient Jain scriptures)image/. The article recounts how he renounced worldly life to become a disciple of Bhadrabahu and later served as head of the Jain monastic community. He played a crucial role in preserving scriptures during a severe famine by allowing monks to record oral teachings in writing. The article describes his debates with rival philosophers, his counsel to King Chandragupta Maurya, and his efforts to resolve disciplinary disputes within the sanghaimage/. His leadership helped stabilise the community during the schism that eventually led to the Digambara and Śvetāmbara sects. Brahmeshananda concludes that Sthūlabhadra’s learning, humility and strict observance of ascetic rules earned him enduring respect and that he remains a model of scholarship and piety for Jainsimage/.

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