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RENASCENT INDIA AND VAISALI
By Prof. Sita Rama Singh, M. A. Lecturar in History. H. D. Jain College, Aurah. It is only in the fitness of things that Renascent India should look with increasing interest and enthusiasm to Vaisali-- the cradle of republicanism, and the religious centres of the Jainas and the Budh: ists. Republicanism is the political garb of Modern India, and Nor violence the central theme of the teachings o! lioth Lord Mahasira and the Buddha-is her message to the wallering world. The Jaina contribution to the building up of New India has been considerable, and in order to make it more effective the Jainas shall have to revive once more the traditions of Vaisali.
Now it has been proved bevond doubts on idee ground of unita peachable evidences that Lord Mahavira was born in Kundsgrama near Vaisali, and not at Lichchuai or Kurdish was the popu lar belief annong the Jainas The lirivi lont avia wis an everit of paramount importance the box toys within Lichchivi Re publisis Dr. Radhakuinad brokern venuent bitori, has pointed out. "T: - poisonality..!; schings of
M
i lli built up Visalias a rentre of Jainisin aari silicon spiritual disciplina
carls rept it's is the religious worltto! Insert tracher's devu teed to the pricu o !!!!17! pratica udrusterity, wf whir! Mahavili toot. tisa inst prona:nt examir." More than this Mrs. Rhys Divis. b. (*'*11 {Missim l out that the Parkdhi Wis first initiated into Jainish it laisul: and Hura and Carlakas were las first teachers. Thus the Buddha began his quest for truth from Vaisali.
A more definite proof of the Buddha beginning his religion, life as a Jaina is to found in the luct that he took ta severe penance, practised austerities, reduced himself to a mere skeleton, skin and bones, and ultimately reduced his food in what might he contained in his hollowed palms. When he found that his body could not stand the rigours of such severe penance, he took to his famous Middle Path.
