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OF THE HINDUS.
305
The conversion of KUMÁRA PÁLA Occurred about A. D. 1174*, and consequently the last Jina expired about five hundred years before the Christian era. According to other authorities the date assigned to this event is commonly about a century and a half earlier, or before Christ six hundred and sixty-three', but HEMACHANDRA is a preferable guide, although, in point of actual chronology, his date is probably not more to be depended upon than those derived from other sources.
The doctrines of the Jains, which constitute the philosophy of their system, it is not part of the present plan to discuss: but a few of the leading tenets, as derived from original authorities, may be here briefly adverted to. It is the more necessary to dwell on the subject, as the chief opinions of the sect of Jina, as described elsewhere, have for the most part been taken from verbal communication, or the controversial writings of the Brahmans.
An eternal and presiding first cause forms no part of the Jain creed, nor do the Jains admit of soul or spirit as distinct from the living principle. All existence is divisible into two heads — Life (Jiva) or the
* [See Lassen, Ind. Alt. III, 567. Weber, 1. 1., p. 46.]
Colonel MACKENZIE, on the information of the Belligola Jains, says Varddhamana attained beatitude 2164 years before the year 1901, which is 663 years before Christ. Mr. COLEBROOKE observes, that the Jains of Bengal reckon Varddhamána to have lived 580 years before Vikramaditya, which is A. C. 636.
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