Jainism in Buddhist Literature

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Alok Prakashan

Page 63

But he was able to convert Upali Gahapati, 193 Abhayarajakumāra, 184 and A sibandhakaputta Gamini195, the lay devotees of the Nigantha Nātaputta. Dighalapassi, a Jain monk, is reported not to have changed his religion, though he was convinced by Buddha. (M. 1, 371), Nigrodha is said to be a follower of Ajivikism who practised asceticism including Catuyāmasanvara of Jainism. He appears to have been a follower of Jainism and a supporter of Ajivikism. Whatever that be, he also could not be converted to Buddhism.136 The above incidents happened in Rajagaha and Nalanda. Most of the discourses given here by the Buddha were mainly to refute the teachings. This shows that Jainism in Magadha was on a firm footing, since the Buddha could not win over a number of followers of the Nigantha Nataputta.
Kosala was ruled over by Pasenadi during the Buddha's time. He respected all the six Tathiyas.137 Buddha spent twenty-one Vassas in Kosala. In addition, he visited this place several times Nigantha Nātaputta also had a good number of followers here. Savatthi and Saketa were the main places where the Buddha came into contact with the Jainas.
In Savatthi there was a very rich Setthi named Migāra who was a staunch follower of Jainism. His son's wife Visakha was perhaps a follower of Buddhism. She is said to have persuaded her father-in-law, Migāra, and other members of the family to be converted to Buddhism.188 Another Setthi named Kalaka, the son-in-law, of Anathapindaka, living in Sāketa is also described as having given up the faith of Nigantha Nātaputta and embracing the religion of the Buddha 189
The Sakyas were politically an independent entity. Kapila. vatthu was the birth place of the Buddha, but the Sākyas, were not strongly in favour of his doctrines. On the other hand, Jainism was very popular here since the Buddha's parents and their people were followers of Parsvanatha tradition. But the Buddha and his followers tried to convert the people from their faith. Mahānama, perhaps a relative of the Buddha, was an adherent of Nigantha Nätaputta's religion. The Buddha