Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

Author(s): Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 141

CHAPTER VIII
CORROBORATION OF THE CONCLUSION
We have reached the above conclusion regarding the date of Buddha's Nirrāņa solely on the basis of historical and mathematical methods. Hence it can be regarded as a ‘self evident' fact. But, because it is being disclosed in. the field of history for the first time, it will not be unnecessary to corroborate it by some other evidences. We get some historical and traditional evidences which directly corroborate the above conclusion. They are as follows :
1. Tibetan Tradition :
According to the Buddhist tradition of Tibet, the day on which Buddha was born, was also the birthday of the king Caņda Pradyota (also known as Mahāsena) of Avanti. The same tradition also records that Buddha's. enlightenment and Pradyota's accession took place on the same day.
The king Pradyota is mentioned in all the three traditions-Buddhist, Jain and Purānic. According to the Purāṇas. such as Vāyu Purāņa", Matsya Purāņa, 4 Bhagvat Purāņa, etc.. and the famous literary works like Kathāsaritsāgara, Svap
1. Life of Buddha by Rockhill, p. 17. 2. Ibid. p. 32. 3. Vāyu Purāna, Adhyaya IC V. 312. 4. Matsya Purāna. Adhye ya CCLXXI V. 3. 5. Bhägvat Purāņa Skandha, XII Adhyāya V. 3. 6. Kathäsaritsägara 3/5/58.