Sthaviravali, Sthavira-avali, Sthavirāvalī: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Sthaviravali means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Sthaviravali in Jainism glossary
Source: JAINpedia: Jainism

Sthavirāvalī (स्थविरावली) refers to “celebration of Jain teachers in successive verses”, as explained in the Nandīsūtra.—The Nandī-sūtra starts with verses of homage to: the Arhats; Mahāvīra; the community (sangha); the 24 Jinas.—[...] After these standard introductory elements comes a praise of Mahāvīra’s disciples and the elders who succeeded them. These early Jain teachers are named and celebrated in successive verses. This is what is technically known as Sthavirāvalī or, in the Prakrit form, Therāvalī. Other examples familiar to Śvetāmbara Jains are the second section of the Kalpa-sūtra and the preamble to the Āvaśyaka-niryukti, the fourth Mūla-sūtra.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

Sthavirāvalī (स्थविरावली) refers to the “homage to ancient teachers”, according to various commentaries on the Kalpasūtra.—(Cf. Māṃḍaṇī)—The first Prakrit stanza, often quoted in Kalpasūtra commentaries and ultimately going back to the Niryukti thereupon, is meant to explain that the Kalpasūtra does not only deal only with rules to be observed during the rainy season (chap. 3 Sāmācārī) but also includes the lives of the Jinas (1. Jinacaritra) and the homage to ancient teachers (2. Sthavirāvalī), as it means: ‘the religious practices of the first and the last (Jinas) is auspicious during the tīrtha of Vardhamāna. Hence the Jina (caritra), the list of the theras beginning with the gaṇadharas, and the caritra have been told’ ( Jacobi’s translation, Kalpasūtra ed., 1879, p. 24). The nine headings listed in the prakrit stanza ācelukka, etc. are dealt with in turn

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context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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