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INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
left the world to enter nirvana in 777 BC. He is always depicted with a hood formed by a seven (or more) headed serpent.?? He tried to purify asceticism from illegitimate practices such as self-torture. He acquired many followers,and his religion remained very influential during subsequent centuries. As said, Prince Siddhārtha, who later became the Buddha, was also strongly inspired and influenced by Parávanāth's tradition. For six years the future Buddha followed severe traditional śramanic ascetic practices in the forest. The last and most generally known Tīrthamkara was Vardhamāna Mahāvīra, said to have been born on March 30, 599 BC. He was an elder contemporary of Buddha, and they both lived in the same region of Bihar. There are no indications that they ever met personally, but in the Buddhist canon Mahāvīra is repeatedly mentioned, being referred to as Nirgrantha or Niggantha (= nude sage) Nātaputta. Much more is known about Mahāvīra, including his personal life, than of the earlier Tīrthamkaras. He has been a source of inspiration for 26 centuries, and will probably remain one for many to come, for Jains as well as others. This book is about his teachings and those of his predecessors.
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