Comparative Study of Jainism and Buddhism

Author(s): Shitalprasad
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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INTRODUCTION
necessary to make a public profession of Buddhism till about his 12th regnal year (247 B.C.); so that nearly if not all his Rock inscriptions are really those of a Jaina Sovereign."
P. 29. From Aini-akbari of Abul Fazl it is clear that Asoka supported Jainism in Kashmir, when Viceroy of Ujjain about 260 B.C., as had his father Bindusara and grand-father Chandragupta throughout the Magadha Empire. Buddhism was apparently for about a century after Gotama's death thought, by all who did not trouble themselves with details to be a mere form of Jainism. Among and beyond these millions, Asoka laboured assiduously to propagate his mild and kindly Jainism, especially concerning the sacredness of all life, as well as peace, charity, and universal brother-hood. In all his rock-inscriptions he designates himself by the favourite Jaina title "Deva nam piya," the Beloved of God?
"This then was the theory and practice of the great Jaino-Buddhist religion which flourished in India many centuries before and after the teaching of Gotama Sakya Muni.... .It was certainly long prior to Parsva and Mahavira...... .Whilst India was certainly the fruitful centre of religion from the 7th century B.C., yet Trans Himalaya, Oxiana, Baktria, and Kaspiana seem to have still earlier developed similar religious views and practices; and Indian Jains and Buddhists claim and almost historically show, that about a score of their saintly leaders perambulated the Eastern World long prior to the 7th Century B.C. We may reasonably believe that Jaino-Buddhism was very anciently preached by