Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

SR No.: 006918
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 358
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 51

HISTORY OF JAINISM PRIOR TO MAHĀVĪRA
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obscure minor sect of Hindus, or a dissenter from Hinduism or an offshoot of Buddhism, and so on."2
Shri Laxman Shastri Joshi, in his book Vedic Sārskrtika Vikāsa wrote that “Jainism and Buddhism are branches of Vedic
culture’13
Shri V.R. Gandhi in his book “Systems of Indian Philosophy' writes that Jainism is an oldest religion and philosophy in the world. In India religion is not different from philosophy and both do not differ from science, especially in the case of Jainism.'
Prior to Mahāvīra, Lord Pārsvanātha, the 23rd Tīrthankara lived 250 years ago and preached Jainism. In the tradition of Tīrthankaras, Lord Rsabha is the first Tīrthankara, who was born thousands of year before Christ. In India, in a very primitive age when people were illiterate and did not know any art, it was said that Lord Rșabha taught the art of cooking, writing, pottery, painting and sculpture for the first time to the people. At his time, came into existence the institution of marriage, ceremony of cremating dead, building of mounds and festivals in honor of Indra and Nāgas.
Barrister Champat Rai said that ‘Hinduism itself has always admitted and never disputed the antiquity of Jainism and its founder Lord Rşabhadeva whom Hindus regard as 9th incarnation (Avatāra) of Lord Vişņu, giving the name of his mother Marudevī, father Nābhi, and his son Bharata after whom India came to be called Bhāratavarșa in the past. 15
II. (ii)Indus Valley Civilization of Mohenjo-Daro
Indus Valley civilization of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappā, which has been dated to 3000 B.C. by historians, sheds quite some
12 Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, “Religion and Culture of Jains”, P-6 "Acharya Hastimalji Maharaj, “Jain Dharma kā Moulika Itihāsa”, Jaipur, 1979,P - 120 *V. R. Gandhi, “The Systems of Indian Philosophy”, Bombay, 1970(1993), P-120 Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, “Jainism: The oldest Living Religion”, Varanasi, 1988, P-40