Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

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

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Mahāvīra and Buddha
them), and not succeeding they showed wrath and hatred and discontent, and they also in return put questions to Sabhiya the Paribbājaka.
“Then this came to the mind of Sabhiya, the Paribbājaka : 'Whatever Šramaņas and Brāhamaņas there are, that have an assembly (of Bhikkhus) and a crowd of followers), and are well-known teachers, famous leaders, considered excellent by the multitude, as Purana Kassapa, Makkhali Gośāla, Ajita-Keśa Kambali, Pakuddha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya-Ballatthiputta, and Nigantha-, Nātaputta they being asked questions by me, did not succeed in answering them, and not suceeeding they showed wrath and hatred and discontent, and they also in return put questions to me in this matter, surely I think I shall go back to what I have left, and enjoy sensual pleasures.'
“Then this came to the mind of Sabhiya, the Paribbājaka: “This Sramana Gautama, i.e. Buddha, too has an assembly (of Bhikkhus) and a crowd (of followers), and is a wellknown teacher, a famous leader, and is considered excellent by the multitude ; surely I think I shall go to him and ask him these questions'. Then this came to the mind of Sabhiya, the paribbājaka. Whatever Šramaņas and Brāhmaṇas there are, decayed, old aged, advanced in years havings reached old age, experinced elders, long ordained having assemblies (of Bhikkhus) crowds (of followers), being teachers well-known, famous leaders, considered excellent by the multitude, such as (1) Purana Kassapa, (2) Makkhali Gośāla, (3) Ajita Keśakambalī, (4) Pakuddha Kaccāyana, (5) Sañjaya Belatihiputta : and (6) Nigantha Nātaputta, i.e. Mahāvīra) and they, being asked questions by me, did not succeed (in answering them) and not succeeding they showed wrath and hatred and discontent and they also in return put questions to me in this matter. (I should like to know) whether