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The first could but with difficulty understand the precepts of the Law, and the last could only with difficulty observe them, but those between them easily understood and observed them." (27)
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LECTURE XXIII.
'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt which you must explain to me, Gautama. (28)
'The Law taught by Vardhamâna forbids clothes, but that of the great sage Pârsva allows an under and upper garment. (29)
Both Laws pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?' (30)
To these words of Kêsi Gautama made the following reply: "Deciding the matter by their superior knowledge, (the Tirthakaras) have fixed what is necessary for carrying out the Law. (31)
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"The various outward marks (of religious men) have been introduced in order that people might recognise them as such; the reason for the characteristic marks is their usefulness for religious life and their distinguishing character. (32)
"Now the opinion (of the Tirthakaras) is that knowledge, faith, and right conduct are the true causes of final liberation, (and not the outward marks)." (33)
'Well, Gautama, you possess wisdom, you have destroyed my doubt; but I have another doubt, which you must explain to me, Gautama. (34)
'Gautama, you stand in the midst of many
elapsed between the last two Tîrthakaras. And this perfectly agrees with the common tradition that Mahâvîra came 250 years after Pârsva.
