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LIFE
47 The Uttaradhyayana-Sūtra records the following conversation between Keśī, a follower of Pārsva, and Gautama, a chief disciple of Mahavira:
When the four precepts promulgated by the great sage Pārśva are held equally binding upon our two Orders, what is the cause of difference between us ?' Gautama replies 'Wisdom recognizes the truth of the law and the ascertainment of true things. The first saints were simple but slow of understanding, the last saints prevaricating and slow of understanding, those between the two simple and wise ; hence there are two forms of the law. The first could but with difficulty understand the precepts of the law, and the last could only with difficulty observe them, but those between them easily understood and observed them'i
The historical importance of the dialogue lies not only in the contrast sharply drawn between the two Orders but in the necessity felt for amalgamating them into one Order. In the Rāyapaseņi, Keśī figures as a disciple of Mahāvira.
It may be thought thus : The religious Order founded by Pārśva enjoyed the reputation of a high and rigid standard of conduct, verging upon
* Jaina-Sūtras, II, pp. 122-123.
