Bhadrabahu
Ācārya Bhadrabāhu (c. 367 – c. 298 BC) was, according to both the Śvetāmbara and Digambara sects of Jainism, the last Shruta Kevalin (all knowing by hearsay, that is indirectly) in Jainism.
Acharya Bhadrabahu Swami/Suri | |
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Late inscription at Shravanabelagola describing the incoming of Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya | |
| Personal | |
| Born | c. 367 BC Pundravardhana |
| Died | c. 298 BC Shravanabelagola (disputed) |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Digambara and Svetambara |
| Notable work(s) | Uvasagharam Stotra, Kalpa Sutra |
| Religious career | |
| Successor | Acharya Vishakha (Digambara) Acharya Sthulabhadrasuri (Svetambara) |
| Ascetics initiated | Chandragupta Maurya (Digambara) Sthavir Godas, Sthavir Agnidatt, Sthavir Yagnadatt, Sthavir Somdatt (Svetambara) |
| Initiation | by Govarddhana Mahamuni (Digambara) by Acharya Yashobhadrasuri (Svetambara) |
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| Jainism |
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According to the Digambara tradition, he was the spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire. According to the Digambara sect of Jainism, there were five Shruta Kevalins in Jainism – Govarddhana Mahamuni, Vishnu, Nandimitra, Aparajita and Bhadrabahu. The Digambaras consider him to have been naked.
According to the Śvetāmbara tradition, he was the author of the holy Kalpa Sūtra, which describes the life of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras. It also lists down a Sthaviravali (a succession list of the names of the head of the Jain monastic order according to Śvetāmbaras, starting with Mahavira's Ganadhara (disciple) Sudharmaswami). Śvetāmbaras consider Bhadrabahusuri to be a Sthavirkalpi monk (as described in the Acharanga Sutra, the Kalpa Sūtra, and the Sthananga Sutra), and thus, white-clad. Śvetāmbaras also consider him to have had been a Shruta Kevalin.