Jainism

Author(s): Vallabh Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabh Smarak Nidhi

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tions the names of three Tirthankaras-Rishabha, Ajitanatha and Aristanemi. "
Buddhist literature contains evidence that Lord Mahavira did not reveal any new truth or found a new system. The four vows (Chaturyama Dharma) preached by Lord parshavanatha, the last Tirthankara before. Lord Mahavira, were in vogue before Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.5 Lord Mahavira was but one of the promulgators of Jainism; his parents were followers of Lord Parshavnatha."
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Jainism is distinguished from other religions and philosophies by its clear-cut theological and metaphysical doctrines. The main purpose of this article is to acquaint the educated laity with the basic principles of Jainism without going into details. The exposition will be based mostly on original, authoritative works.
Unbiased Indological research by European and Indian scholars has revealed in ancient India two distinct currents of culture, namely. the Vedic or Brahmanic and the Shramanic
5 Pandit Sukhlal: Nirgrantha Sampradaya parts I and II.
6 Acharanga Sutra, II, 15, 16 and Kalpa Sutra.