A Pattavali (From Sanskrit patta: seat, avali: chain), Sthaviravali or Theravali, is a record of a spiritual lineage of heads of monastic orders. They are thus spiritual genealogies. It is generally presumed that two successive names are teacher and pupil. The term is applicable for all Indian religions, but is generally used for Jain monastic orders. There are several famous pattavalis which are often used to establish historical chronologies: Glasenapp notes that although the chronological list mentioned in pattavali are valuable, it is not reliable.

Description

Pattavali states the lineage of Jain monks.

The Jain Monastic Lineages

According to 600 AD inscription at Sravanabelagola, Harivansha Purana, Jambuddvita Pannati and Kalpasutra, the Pattavali (lineage) after Mahavira, 24th tirthankara, until Bhadrabāhu is commonly recognized by both the sects without disputes. Differences arise from Sthulabhadra onwards, whose undisputed adherence to the Śvetāmbara is confirmed. Kalpasutra gives a lineage starting with Pushyagiri after Vajrasena ending with Devardhi Ksamashramana, the president of the Vallabhi council under whom the principal canonical scriptures of the Śvetāmbara sect were formally written. The Kalpasutra also mentions ganas and shakhas established by other disciples of Bhadrabahu, Sambhutavijaya, Mahagiri etc. The Brihat-Kharataragachchha pattavali gives the name of Chandra after Vajrasena, the lineage continues until Udyotana, the founder of Brihadgachcha. Apart from the given list, another list of preceptors of the Upkeśa Gaccha (now extinct) within the Śvetāmbara sect exists. While all other pattavalis trace their ancestry to the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira, Upkeśa Gaccha traces its ancestry to the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha. This pattavali, therefore, also supports the claim of the antiquity of the Śvetāmbara sect. Several eminent preceptors including Acharya Ratnaprabhasuri (founder of Oswal clan) and Acharya Swayamprabhasuri (founder of Porwal clan) belonged to the Upkeśa Gaccha.

Digambara Lineage

According to Digambar tradition, the monastic lineage after Bhadrabāhu was: Arhadvali is said to have been the founder of the divisions of the Mula Sangha. Even though the Digambara sect claims Manatunga was a Digambara monk, none of the pattavalis maintained by the Digambara sect mention him.

Śvetāmbara Lineage

According to the Śvetāmbara tradition, the monastic lineage is as follows: - Another list of monks, of the preceptors of the Upkeśa Gaccha also exists and is considered to be an important pattavali as the creation of major Śvetāmbara clans such as Oswal, Porwal, and Srimal are connected to Upkeśa Gaccha.