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(3) is older than Buddhism and was founded probably by some one, either Parasva Nath or some other Thirthamkara who had Jived before the time of Mahavira" (see the "Full Texts of the Address by Dr. T. K. 'Laddu published by the Honorary Secretary Syadvada Mahavidyalaya Benares). The late Mahrainahopadhyaya Dr. S. C. Vidya Bhusana also maintained:
"It may be held that Indrabhuti Gautama, a direct disciple
Tahavira whose teachings he collected together. was a con. temporary of Buddha Gautama, the reputed founder of Buddhism, and of the Akshapada Gautama the Brahman author of the Nyaya Sutras” (see The Jaina Gazette Vol. X. No. 1).
Dr. J. G. Buhler, C. 1. E., LL D., Ph. D. points out:
"The Buddhists themselves confirm the statements of the Jainas about their prophet. Old historical inscriptions prove the independent existence of the sect of the Jainas even during the first five centuries after Buddha's death, and among the inscriptions are some which clear the Jaina tradition not only from suspicion of fraud but bear powerful witnesses to its honesty'' (see "The Jainas" pp. 22. and 23).
Major-General J. G. Ri Forlong, F: R: S. E., F. R. A. S., M. A. D., etc., etc, also writes :
“All upper, Western, North Central India was then--say 1500 to 800 B. C. and indeed, from unknown times-ruled by Turanians, conveniently called Dravids, and given to tree, serpent and phallic worship.........but there also then existed throughout Upper India an ancient and highly organised religion, philosophi. cal, ethical and severely ascetical, viz. Jainism, out of which clearly developed the early ascetical features of Brahmanism and Buddhism" (see Short Studies in the Science of Comparative Religion, pp. 243-244).
Where is now the claim that Jainas are Hindu dissenters and Jainism a child of Buddhism ! The explanation of the error of the earlier Orientalists is thus given in the latest authority (The Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics Vol. VII. p. 465):--
"Notwithstanding the radical difference in thier philosophical notions, Jainism and Buddhism, being originally both orders
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