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CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
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karma theory of the Jains in an original and integrat part of their system, and that Jainism is considerably
older than the origin of Buddhism." . Personally I am inclined to think that Buddhism was intended as a protest against the caste system of the Hindus and the severe asceticism of the Jainas, not as a new metaphysical system, at least, not in its inception. Buddha had spent a number of years in the company of monks of different religions and was familiar with their doctrines though probably not with their scientific explanation, On one occasion le said
There are, brethren, certain reoluses (Achelkas, Ajivikas,
Niganthas, etc.) who thus preach and believe : Whateoever an individual experiences, whether it be happy, or painfni, or neutral feeling, all bas been caused by previoue actions. And thus from the cancelling of old actions by tapas, and by abstaining from doing uew actions, there is no influx into future life ; by this non-influx karma is destroyed and so ill in destroyed, and so feeling is destroyed, and so all pain will become woru away. This, brethren, is what the Niganthas (Jaius) say...... Is it true, I asked them, that you believe and declare this ?...............They replied ... Our leader, Nataputta, is all-wise.........out of the depth of bir kuowledge he tells as: Yo have done evil in the past. This ye do wear away by this hard and painful course of action. And the discipline that here and now, by thought, word, and deed, ie wrought, is a minus quautity of bad karma in future life. . . thus all karma will eventually be woro away, kod all pain. To this we assent (Majjhima.. ii. 214 f. ; cf. i. 238)".-ERE. Vol. II. p. 70.
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