Antiquity of Jainism

Author(s): Mahaveer Saran Jain
Publisher: Mahaveer Saran Jain

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Nigganthas Order of the time. Kasha, a follower of Parsvanatha rule, asks Gautama, who was one of the chief disciples of Mahavira: "When the four precepts promulgated by the great sage Parsvanatha, are equally binding upon the two orders, what is the cause of difference between us?" "Wisdom" replies Gautama, "recognizes the truth of the law and the ascertainment of true things. The earlier 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.
About the teachings of Parsvanatha, it must be admitted, we have no exact knowledge. His religion was, however, meant for one and all without any distinction of caste or creed. He allowed women to enter his Order. He laid stress on the doctrine of Ahimsa. According to him, strict asceticism was the only way to attain salvation. Fundamentally, the doctrines of Parsvanatha and Mahavira were the same. Parsvanatha preached four vows instead of five. According to H. Jacobi, the Order of