Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

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

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Dr. K. P. Jayaswal whether Mahāvīra was alive up to the last day of Buddha's life. But again we may ask whether the question of Subhadda was about the living Tirtharkaras or merely a discussion of the views of deceased Tirtharkaras ?"
The above question shows that Shri Rampuria has vigilantly reflected upon the situation. It often happens. that such questions are put up only in the form a 'wont'. The above question of Subhadda definitely seems to be a. customary usage of speaking together the names of all the six Tirthankaras. This is also proved by the fact that the names of Makhali Gośālaka and Purana Kassapa also appear in the above list of Subhadda, whereas it is unanimously believed and definitely known that both of them had died long before Buddha's Nirvāņa.1
1. Mankhali Gośālaka died 16 years before Mahāvīra's Nirvana (see.
Bhagvati Sūtra, Šataka 15). In the chronology adopted by Dr. Jacobi, Dr. KP. Jayaswal, Muni Kalyana Vijayji, Dr. A.L. Basham, Gośālaka's death occurs before the Nirvāṇa of Buddha as well as that of Mahåvira. Purana Kassapa had also died during the life-time of Buddha ; see, Dhammapada Attha Katha, 4-2. (Also, Buddhacaryā, by Pt. Rahul Sankrityayana, p. 86.)