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(23) परिशिष्ट नं. १
THE FOUNDER OF JAINISM.
MAHAVIRA.
Two of the great religions of ancient IndiaBuddhism and Jainism-were both founded by men of noble birth who gave up their lives of comfort and devoted themselves to religion. Gautama founded Buddhism, and in this chapter we shall tell the story of Mahavira, who founded Jainism.
Vardhamana Mahavira was a noble of the Lichchavi tribe who inhabited the country round the modern Patna. He was of a thoughtful nature, and being disgusted with the world, he joined an order of monks founded by Parsvanath.
He remained a member of the order for several years, but could not obtain peace of mind. So when he was about forty years of age he cut off his connection with the order and founded a religious system of his own called Jainism.
He travelled through modern Bengal an Behar preaching his doctrines to the people. Being of noble
