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Aspects of Jainology Volume VI
Ajātaśatru's accession to the throne Mahavira's age must be distressed and alienated from the Dharma of Nigantha about 50 years, because his Nirvana is supposed to have which was not expressed properly (durakhyata), not properly taken place in the 22nd year of Ajātasatru Kunika's rule. By investigated (duspravedita), unable to redeem (anairyăika), deducting 22 years from his total age of 72 years, it is unable to give peace (ana-upasama-Sarvartanika), not proved that at that time he was 50 years old (see Vira verified by any enlightened (a-Samyak - SambuddhaNirvana Samvat aur Jaina Kala Gananā, pp. 4-5). So far aspravedita) without foundation = a different stupa and without Buddha's case is concerned, he attained his Nirvāna in the a shelter." 8th year of Ajātaśatru's accession to the throne. This is the Thus, we see that in the Tripitaka literature, on the hypothesis of Buddhist writers. This hypothesis given rise one hand where Mahāvīra has been described as middleto two facts. Firstly, when Mahāvira was 50 years old, aged, on the otherhand, there is an information about the Buddha was 72 (80-8), i.e. Buddha was 22 years older than death of Mahavira during the life-time of Buddha. Since, Mahāvira. Secondly, Mahāvira's Nirvana took place 14 according to the sources based on Jaina literature, Mahavira years after Buddha's Nirvana (22-8-14). It is worth died at the age of 72, it is certain that both the facts cannot mentioning here, that in the reference occuring in the be true at the same time. Muni Kalyana Vijaya ji (Vira Dighanikaya (Samaññaphalasutta : 2:2:8), where Nirvāna Samvat aur Jaina Kala Ganană, 1987, p. 12) has Nirgrantha Jñātrputra and other five Tirtharikaras have called the theory of Mahāvīra Nirvāna during the life-time been called middle-aged, there is no mention of Gautama of Buddha as a mistaken concept. He maintains that the Buddha's age, but he must be 72 at that time because this incident of Mahāvira's demise is not a reference to his real event took place during the rule of Ajätasatru Kunika and death, but to a hearsay. It is alos clearly mentioned in Jaina Buddha's Nirvana took place in the 8th year of the rule of Agamic texts that 16 years before his Nirvana, rumour of Ajätaśatru.
his death had spread, hearing which many Jaina Sarmanas But contrary to the above-mentioned fact one finds started shedding tears. Since the incident of the bitteranother information in the Dighanikaya that Mahāvira has argument between Makkhaligosāla, a former disciple of attained Nirvāṇa during Buddha's life-time. The reference Mahāvira, and his other Sramana disciples was linked with from the Dīghanīkāya is as follows (Pāsādikasutta : 6:1 this rumour, the present reference from the Dighanikaya : 1)20
about the dath of Mahāvīra during the life time of Buddha "I heard this once that the Lord was residing in a is not to be taken as that of his real death, rather it indicated palace built in the mango orchard of the Sākyas known as to the rumour of his death by burning fever caused by Vedhaññā in sākya (country).
Tejolesya, hurled upon him by agitated and acutely jealous At that time Nigantha Nätaputta (Tīrthankara Maha- Makkhaligosala after dispute. Vira) had recently died at Påva. A rift was created among Buddha's Nirvana must have taken place one year and the Niganthas after his death. They were divided into two few months after the rumour abour Mahavira's death, groups and were fighting by using arrows of bitter words therefore, Buddha must have attained Nirvana 14 years, 5 at one another - "you don't know this Dharmavinaya months and 15 days before Mahāvira's Nirvana. (=Dharma), I know it. How can you know this Dharma
Since Buddha's Nirvāna took place in the 8th year of vinaya? you are wrong in ascertaining, (your understanding Ajātaśatru Kunika's accession to the throne, Mahāvira's is wrong), I am rightly ascertained. My understandint is Nirvana must have taken place in the 22nd year of his correct. My words are maningful and yours are meaningless. accession. Vira Nirvāna must have taken place in the 22nd The things you should have told first you told in the end year of his accession (Vira Nirvana Sarvat aur Jaina Kala and vice-versa. Your contention is mindless and topsy- Gananā, p. 4). Therefore, it is certain that Mahavira's Nirvana turvy. You presented your theory and withdrew. You try to took place 14 years after the Nirvana of Buddha. The save yourself from this allegation and if your have power, fixation of the date of Buddha's Nirvana would definitely try to save yourself from this allegation and if you have influence the date of Mahāvira's Nirvana. First of all we power, try to resolve it. As if a war (-slaughtering) was shall fix the date of Mahāvira on the basis of the Jaina going on among the Niganthas."
sources and inscriptions and then we will find out what The house-holder disciples of the Nigantha Nātaputta, should be the date of Buddha's Nirvana and whether it is wearing white dresses, also were getting indifferent, supported by the other sources.
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