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gantha Nātaputta and his disciples leaves no room for doubt about Mahāvira being recognised a Tirthankara of that age and about his organisation being fairly vast and active.
In the Buddhist texts, the number of such references is 51[1] distributed as follows: main Tripitakas having 32, Majjhima Nikaya 10, Digha Nikaya 4, Anguttara Nikāya and Samyukta Nikāya 7 each, Sutta Nipāta 2 and Vinaya Pitaka 2. These refer to discussions between the Buddha and the Nirgrantha monks and various contemporary events of the period.
Certain portions of the work discuss topics relating to conduct, wherein the fourfold restraints of the Nirgranthas have been brought to lighted. The fourfold restraints have been stated as desisting from killing, from falsehood from theft and from sex-behaviour[2], and elsewhere they have been stated to be desisting from unboiled water and sins [3]. In a context discussion turns to restraint in speech - the point at issue being whether the Buddha could or could not utter words which were unpalatable to others[4]. In another context on meat eating, this as prescribed by the Nirgranthas, has been decried[5]. Another instance discusses the behaviour and garments of a monk[6]. Still another rejects as unworthy of a monk the display of his occult powers, which further throws light on the conduct of the monk. The discussion on uposatha in the context of the conduct and thinking of the lay followers is another important item[8].
Some topics throw light on the fundamentals. The penances by the monks[9], and karma theory[10] have come in for discussion 1. Vide the present text, Chap. 17. 2. (a) Samyuta Nikāya, Nānā Titthiya Sutta. (Reference No.31). 3. (b) Samyuta Nikāya, Kula Sutta (R. No. 6).
(c) Anguttara Nikāya Pancaka Nipata (R. No. 39). (d) Majjhima Nikaya, Upāli Sutta (R. No. 2). Digha Nikāya, Sāmañjaphala Sutta (R. No. 22). Majjhima Nikāya, Abhaya Rājakumāra Sutta (R. No. 3). Vinaya Pitaka, Mahāvagga, Bhaisajjya kh an dhaka (R. No. 1). Sanjuta Nikāya, Jațila Sutta (R. No. 33). Vinaya Pitaka, Cūlavagga, Khuddaka vatthukh an dhaka (R. No. 18). Anguttara Nikaya, Tika Nipāta (R. No. 27). (a) Majjhima Nikāya, Cūla Dukkhakh anda Sutta (R. No.5). (b) Anguttara Nikaya, Tika Nipata (R. No. 10). (c) Majjhima Nikāya, Deva daha Sutta (R. No. 4). (d) Anguttara Nikaya Catuvak Nipata (R. No. 12).
(e) Anguttara Nikāya, Catuvakka Nipāta.(R. No. 38). 10. (a) Majjhima Nikāya, Devadaha Sutta (R. No. 4).
(b) Anguttara Nikaya, Catukka Nipäta (R. No. 12).
ajati ono