Comparative Study of Jainism and Buddhism

Author(s): Shitalprasad
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 15

INTRODUCTION
Whatever literature in Pali compiled in the 1st Century A.D. is available, specially describes internal conduct. Such questions as depend on inference and logic were not answered by Goutama Buddha to the general public, such as 'what is soul ?, 'what is Nirvana ?, 'what happens after death?'. But these questions have been answered and described in such a way that no discussion may arise, while the reasonable men may understand the answers correctly, and may be engaged in making efforts for Nirvana.
Although the Jains acknowledge one philosophy, there have now been two divisions among them, DIGAMBAR AND SVETAMBAR. Similarly the Buddhist Order was established separate from the Jain Order on allowing clothes to monks by Goutama Buddha even at the time of Lord Mahavira, i.e., before Mahavira began to preach in His age of 42 when He became århat and omniscient. At the time of Mahavira there appears to have existed some rivalry between them, which is proved from some Buddhist sutras which do not speak favourably of some Jain Views; although this unfavourable description will be found to be incorrect when Jain literature is consulted properly and compared with the Buddhist sayings. I give below the names of some of the Sutras in which Mahavira has been spoken of as Nigantha Nâtaputta. These are the instances of rivalry which existed between the Jains and the Buddhists at least at the time when the Buddhist literature was compiled in the first century A.D. in Ceylon,