Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

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

Page 57

CHAPTER V
MUNI KALYANA VIJAYAJI
An extensive effort has been made by a famous Jain historian, Muni Kalyana Vijayaji to solve the present problem. His work on the subject, titled, Vira Nirvāņa Samvat Aura Jaina Kālagañanā is really a treasure book for the researchworkers. He has presented an independent solution to the problem of choronology of Mahāvīra and Buddha. His conclusion is that Buddha predeceased Mahāvīra by 14 years 5 months and 15 days. In other words, Buddha was 22 years older than Mahāvīra. The dates of the Nirvāna. given by Muni Kalyana Vijayaji is as follows:
Buddha's Nirvāṇa .....542 B.C. (May) Mahāvīra's Nirvāņa .....528 B.C. (November)
The date of Mahāvīra's Nirvāna--527 B.C.?, which is accepted by Muni Kalyana Vijayaji, is based on a reliable tradition as well as direct evidences. Muniji has proved this date by citing various authorities and giving many reasons.
Muni Kalyana Vijayaji has tried to prove that Buddha attained the Nirvāņa nearly fifteen years before Mahāvīra's Nirvāņa. He has argued that the story related in the Sāmagāma Sutlânta, that Buddha had heard about the
1. The date of Mahāvīra's Nirvana, though precisely is November
528 B.C., is usually written as 527 B.C., the reason being thai there is only an interval of two months between January, 528 B.C. and November 528 BC. Muni Kalyana Vijayaji has also used the date (527 B.C.) frequently in his book.