Layman-Ethics as Propounded in the Story of Ānanda in Jain Literature

Summary

LAYMAN-ETHICS AS PROPOUNDED IN THE STORY OF ANANDA IN JAIN LITERATURE Dr. Lopamudra Bhattacharyya Ananda is the name of a house holder disciple of Lord Mahavira, ભા whose name the first chapter of Upasakadasa, an Ariga canonical literature was constructed. Presenting the subject matter through the dialogues between Arya Sudharma and Jambu is a very common style of Ardhamagadhi literature. The title of the chapter is more likely 10 be of a story related to the excellence of laymen spirituality. Jain Ardhamagadhi literature acclaim to be the original source of Lord Mahavira’s sermons. Generally it is believed by the Jains that the canonical literatures are authentic by its nature. Therefore, it needs no further testimony. So it is believed that there was some one Ananda at the time of Lord Mahavira who became his follower and a famous Sravaka of that time. The chapter depicts pious character of Ananda in order to set an example of an ideal layman before the then Jain society. Generally to denote such facts legend or a narrative used to be a very popular prop at that time. In that respect Ananda is an exception. Whole chapter is divided into some paragraphs related to specific activities starting from the very first meeting of Ananda and Lord Mahavira till Ananda’s next birth in the abode of heaven. It seems that it has been tried 10 record the life of Ananda’s in થ manner of fact in the name of Ananda but the style of a legend has been avoided. Though latter Jain literatures plunged into popular style of composition but to maintain the authenticity of the character it was necessary to avoid exaggerations of a legend or a narrative. Though it resembles with narratives to some extent but mostly it is descriptive in nature. Repetition of paragraphs in describing different things is one of the very prominent features of Ardhamagadhi literature. Repetition - interrupts the spontaneous flow of the story. Some times description of acity, a royal palace or a castle 15 instructed 10 be recurred from the earlier source to the present context. These kinds of instructions are 14 JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLVI, NO. 1-IV JULY.-JUNE 11-12 found only in grammatical or philosophical treatises. This particular nature seperates the chapter of Ananda from a narrative tale. The chapter of Ananda is a combination of frequent repetition and more often the case of recursion of facts. The story of Ananda is nothing but the spiritual upliftment of a house holder to a state 01 profound wisdom called clairvoyance. It was a great achievement for a laymen.