Jain Journal 1988 10

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

Page 21

52
He
made him renounce the world while Mahavira became a monk at the ripe time. Buddha was out to search a teacher who could satisfy his longing for truth. For six long years he wandered from place to place but found no one who could satisfy his longing. observed the rules of life as laid down by other religions such as fasts, rigorous austerity, etc. but all that did not satisfy him. Ultimately he realised truth under the Bodhi tree. He had not followed any system of religion or he had no ancient religion before him in view. For he said his findings were his own e.g. the four noble truths, the three saranas, the eight-limbed path, etc. Mahavira on the other hand was no innovator or a discoverer of truth. He had only organised a religion which was already in existence. The followers of Parsva came in his contact and he instructed them properly. Buddha was way-laid by Mara, the Satan, and his followers but not so Mahavira. No doubt Lord Mahavira had to undergo hardships during his wandering routine. Just as Ananda, Maudgalyayana, Kasyapa, etc. were the chief disciples of Buddha, Mahavira had eleven Ganadharas as his chief disciples. Both got support from kings and rich laity.
As a member of the Jnatr clan Mahavira belonged to the Kasyapa gotra. From the clan name, he was known as Jnatrputra (Viv, 323). Because of his Kasyapa gotra he was known as Kasava (Utt. 2, Datav, 4), after the Capital of Vaisali, his maternal home, he was known as Vesaliya (Su. 1, 2, 3, Utt. 6), after the country he was known as Videhadinna (Ayar. 2. 15, 17, Jinac, 110), as a result of all round prosperity in the kingdom cropping up after his birth he was called Vardhamana and as a result of severe asceticism and endurance he was called Mahavira. He was called Jina because of his command over the five senses. As he had established the church he was known as Tirthagara or Tirthankara. So also Buddha was known as Buddha, Sambuddha, Tathagata, etc.
JAIN JOURNAL
Just as the Tirthankara appears in a definite period of cycles known as the Avasarpini and the Utsarpini so also Buddha appears only in empty Kalpas i.e. only in Buddhakalpa. The highest number of Buddhas who can appear is only five, whereas in the time of Lord Ajitanatha, the second Tirthankara of the Jainas 170 Tirthankaras appeared in the land. Just as there are infinite Kalpas so there are infinite Buddhas. Like the 24 Tirthanakaras there are twenty-four Buddhas. Both the Tirthankara and the Buddha have each a number of monks, nuns,
At the age of 30.