Jain Journal 1974 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 20

158
the kingdom of Magadha was extended under Ajatusatru, son of Bimbisara, who figures largely in the life of Buddha-extended so as to include Vaisali, and the birthplace of Mahavira-we see that the foundations were laid of an empire, which facilitated the rapid spread both of Jainism and Buddhism."
A few other points about the founder of Jainism are worthy of notice. After he had spent his twelve years in austerities, during eleven of which he seems to have gone about naked, he became omniscient, and a prophet of the Jaina, called a Tirthakara. Several other titles were then given him, such as Jina, Mahavira, &c. (as with Sakya-muni). Then for thirty years he taught his religious system and organized his order of ascetics, under the patronage of three kings of Videha, Magadha, and Anga. His travels extended west to Sravasti and north to the foot of the Himalaya. His disciples (or apostles of the Jaina) were eleven in number, and are detailed in the Kalpa-Sutra. This list, we have reason to believe, is accurate, since it is given without variation by both sects of the Jaina. Lastly, we have the double testimony of both Jaina and Buddhist Canons that Nataputta (as he is always called by the Buddhists) was a contemporary of Buddha, and that his followers in Vaisali were numerous.8
JAIN JOURNAL
The Influence of Gosala on Mahavira's Doctrines
The Bhagavati states that Gosala, the son of Makkhali, after six years of asceticism with Mahavira as his disciple, separated from him and started a Law of his own, and set up a Jina, the leader of the Ajivika. The Buddhists claim Gosala as coming from a long-established order of monks. Jacobi thinks that Mahavira and Gosala associated with the intention of combining their sects and fusing them into one. This does not seem conclusive.
His reasons are: (1) their long life together presupposes similarity of opinions; (2) the divisions of animals, and of mankind, into six classes are common to both; (3) the rules of conduct prove almost conclusively that Mahavira borrowed them from Gosala.
Certainly Mahavira's position was strengthened by his temporary association with Gosala, though, if we believe the Jaina, Gosala himself lost by it, and came to a tragic end."
7 S. B. E., vol. xxii. pt. i. p. xiv.
8 Ibid., vol. xxii. pt. i. p. xvi.
9
Ibid., vol. xlv. pt. ii. p. xxix ff.