Jain Journal 2001 04

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

Page 22

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXV, No. 4 April 2001 Vanijyagrama or Campa and Prstha Campa. That is why in the §122 of the Kalpa Sutra where totals of rainy seasons passed at different places are indicated, these are shown jointly and not separately. Thus it has been stated therein (quoted in Life of Mahavira, Vol. II, Part II, pages 690-691) that Mahavira passed 3 rainy seasons at Campa and Prstha Campa, 12 rainy seasons at Vaisali and Vanijyagrama and 14 rainy seasons at Rajagrha and Nalanda.22 This joint mention is significant.
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Coming to the Buddhist tradition, Rahula Sankrityayana mentions in his Buddhacarya that the Buddha spent his 42nd rainy season at Sravasti (page 413, f.n.). The date of this will be 491 B.C. according to our calculation. From the next page we find the Hindi translation of Upāli Sutta (pp. 414-423) with its scene at Nalanda. The date given is 487 B.C. which is equivalent to 491 B.C. according to our calculation. The year given is 77th year of the Buddha's life. This will be May, 491 B.C. to May, 490 B.C. according to our calculation. Thus it appears that the event took place between November, 491 B.C. and May, 490 B.C. as shown above.
Turning to the Jaina tradition about the itinerary of Mahavira, we have to enquire as to where Mahavira was at this time: whether he was in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area or away from it.
From the Life of Mahavira (Vol. II, Part II, pages 650, 658) we know that Mahavira was at Rajagrha (or in the Rajagrha-Nalanda area, to be more exact and in keeping with the tone of the Kalpa Sutra §122) from November, 492 B.C. to the early months of 490 B.C. This is evident from the following quotations :
"Sramana Bhagawan Mahavira lived at Mithila nagari during the rainy season of the fortieth year of his ascetic life." (page 649) [Date according to our calculation July-October, 492 B.C.]
"Soon after the close of the rainy season Sramana Bhagawān Mahavira left Mithila and went in the direction of Magadha-desa. Coming to Rajagrha nagara, the Worshipful Lord put up at Gunasila Caitya outside the town." (page 650) [Date from November, 492 B.C. onwards.]
22. In the §122 of the Kalpa Sutra Mahavira is said to have spent fourteen rainy seasons in Rajagrha and the suburb (bahirika) of Nalanda. This was a famous place even with the Jainas, cf., e.g., Sutrakritanga II, 7 (SBE, XLV, 419 sq.) (Charpentier, p. 127, f.n.)