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CHAPTER XVII
THE NIGANTHAS AND NIGANTHA NATAPUTTA IN THE TRIPITAKAS
Compared to the Jaina Agamas where Gautama Buddha has received very scant attention, the Tripitakas are over ful' with accounts about Bhagavan Mahavira. Therein he has been called Nigantha Nataputta1. In general, the word 'nigantha' stands for the Jaina monks. The word 'Natapucta has been used even in the Jaina Agamas for Mahavira2. If we do not indulge into a speculation about the authenticity of the narrated events, then we can say without hesitation that they are very interesting, delightful and inspiring. They throw ample light on the mutual relation between the two orders, their doctrines and ideas.
There is no mention anywhere that Mahavira and Buddha had ever met each other. It is abundantly recorded that the two leaders had camped simultaneously in different parks of the same city. In the account of Gṛhapati Upāli and Asibandha kaputra Gramani, we come to know that both were in Nalanda at the same time; in the account of Sinha Senapati, we have it that both were at Vaisali. In the account of Abhaykumar, it is mentioned that both were at Rajagrha. The Mahasakuladayi Suttanta mentions seven spiritual leaders having camped in Rajagṛha during one rainy season. On the occasion of the display of "occult 3 powers", they had assembled again at Rajagṛha3.
Odium Theologicium
The idea and expression behind all the mentions in the Tripitakas narrate the superiority of Buddha over Maha. vira. The best illustration of this communal narrowness are some of the episodes contained in the Jātaka -Aṭṭhaka
1. Sometimes Nigantha Nathaputta and again Nigantha Nataputa.
2. Daśavaikalika Sutra, S 6-20.
3. See items 2, 6, 1, 3, 13 an d 17 below.
