Samantabhadra (Jain monk)
2nd-century CE Indian Jain monk
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Through Jainism
Life
Samantabhadra is said to have lived from 150 to 250 CE. He was from southern India during the era of the Cholas. He was a poet, logician, eulogist and an accomplished linguist. He is credited with spreading Jainism in southern India.
In the early stages of his asceticism, Samantabhadra was afflicted with a disease known as bhasmaka (a condition of insatiable hunger). Because Digambara monks do not eat more than once a day, he endured great pain. Eventually, he sought permission from his preceptor to undertake the vow of Sallekhana. The preceptor refused and instructed him to leave monasticism and have the disease treated. After being cured, he rejoined the monastic order and became a great Jaina ācārya.
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Thought
Samantabhadra affirmed Kundakunda's theory of the two nayas - vyavahāranaya (‘mundane') and niścayanaya (ultimate, omniscient). He argued however that the mundane view is not false, but is only a relative form of knowledge mediated by language and concepts, while the ultimate view is an immediate form of direct knowledge. Samantabhadra also developed further the Jaina theory of syādvāda.
Praise
Jinasena, in his celebrated work, Ādi purāṇa praises the Samantabhadra as
Acharya Samantrabhadra’s glory reigned supreme among all poets, scholars, disputants, and preachers; he was like a jewel on their heads.