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CHAPTER IV. The existence of the Jains known as the
Niganthas long before Mahavira's time. After having shown that Mahavira and Buddha were two real historical beings and contemporaries, we shall attempt to show that Mahavira was not in the strict sense of the word, the founder of Jainism but its reformer. In other words we shall show that Jainism or a sect very analogous in its beliefs, and doctrines and even in its mythology to Mahavira's sect, existed in India before Mahavira began to preach his teachings, and long before he founded his order of ascetics..
Mahavira has been often referred to in the Buddhist books under the name of Nâtaputtâ, or the head of the Niganthas, under which name the Jains were originally known, and under which they are mentioned in the pillar edicts of Asoka about 243 B.C. Under the same name tho Jains continued to be known for many centuries afterwards,
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
