Book Title: Jain Itihas Series 01
Author(s): B Benarsidass
Publisher: B Benarsidass

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Page 49
________________ refuting all arguments for. Vedic sacrifices, the latter defending the slaughter of animals in Yajna. .. Thus according to Brahmanical works Rishabha was the founder of Jainism. It was he who for the first time preached those doctrines which became the foundation-stone of Jainism. In none of the Hindu Shastras, so far as I have been able to enquire, Parshva Nath is spoken of as the founder of that religion. I had a talk on this subject with many learned Shastris and they all told me that Rishabha was the founder of Jainism. Thus, gentlemen, you will see that according to Jain and Brahmanical writings Rishabha was the founder of Jainism. Is it not strange then, that writers like Colebrooke, Bühler and Jacobi should propound their own theories and call Parshya Nath the founder of our Dharma ? In matter of religion they ought to be guided by our own traditions and not invent their own hypotheses. You know religion is religion. It is dearer than life to a man, and, in my humble opinion, scholors ought not to trifle with religions. Their word is. law. Their opinion is authority. In matter of religion then, they ought not to be hasty in giving opinions. They ought to have regard for the traditions of others. They ought to have regard for the feelings of others. Gentlemen you should note that it is not only in accordance with our traditions handed Inscriptions at Muttra. down to us in Jain and Hindu Shastras, that we call Rishabha the founder of Jainism, but .. there is also material evidence discovered by Dr.

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