Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 1

SR No.: 008002
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 623
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 14 MB

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ctices like fasting for instance, or the respect to the life of any living being, however low in the scale of existence are found in an identical from in both these sects. As a rule, therefore, whenever mention is made of these beliefs, in Buddhistic works, they are attributed to the Nirgrantha Näbtaputta i-e 10 Mahā. vira. But it stands to Dr. Jacobi's credit to have shown tbat the deci of the Nirgranthas existed before Mahāvīra. In all probabi. lity it must have been founded by Pårsva, the twenty-tzird, and one of the most venerated among the prophets of Jainism. There can no longer be any doubt that Pärsva was a historical person age. According to the Jain tradition he must have lived a buadred years, and died 250 years before Mahāvira. His period of activity corresponds thus to the VIII century B. C. His school could not be insignificant at the time whən Mabăvira commenced his preaching in the sixth century B. C The parents of the latter, were followers of the religion of Pārgva; and having attained a very old age they suffered themselves to expire through inanition-the only death for holy men according to this religion Mahāvīra himself must, therefore have been instructed in the doctrines of Pārsva, and it is thus not surprising that he retai. ned a great portion of the dogmas of Pārşvs.
Does this mean that he contents himself with appropriat ing to himself the teaching of Pārsva! Not at all, for the two schools however similar to each other by their numerous agreemeni, still display some capitai differences. We shall refer in this connection to Chapter XXIII of the Uttarādhyayana Sutra, so curious and so instructive.
One day Kesin, a disciple of Părgva, and Gautama, a disciple of Mahāvîra come across each other in a para near Śrā. vasti. Their followers asked each to his side. Is our law the right one, or that of these others ? Are our doctrines and conduct, the right one or those of these others ?' Divining the doubts which troubled their followers both Kesin, and Gautama proposed to put an end to it by free, and frank, explanation. They approached each other, and Kesin this interrogated Gulama “Th: