Jainism in Buddhist Literature

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

Page 94

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Avidhāyāpi hi hits himsāpbalabbājanamh bhavatyekah. Kștvā 'pyapaso hindsa himsăphalabhājanamh na syāt“. .
Thus in Jainism the Kāyadanda is worse than either Manodanda or Vacidanda. The Buddha indicated the same idea but defined its characteristics in a different manner. This is one area where the two do not really disagree, Jainism, like Buddhism, is a religion that gives importance to intention before an ethical judgement is made of any action,
Another reference in this connection is found in the Anguttara Nikaya where Nirantha Nataputta is designated kriyavadt (activist ), while the Buddha is said to be both kriyavadi and akriyavadi. An episode relates how Siha, the General of Licchavis, asked for permission to meet the Buddha, and how Nigantha Nätaputta did not allow him to do so saying that the Buddha taught the a kriyavada However, Siha decided to meet the Buddha and varified at once whether he is akriyavadi. In response to this question the Buddha said that he is both Kriyavadi and akrijāradi. He is akriyavadi in the sense that he taught beings how to abstain from evil actions, and he is kriyavadi in the sense that he taught them how to perform good deeds. The Buddha's reply is as follows:
"There is a way in which one might say of me that the ascetic Gotama holds the principle of non-action, teaches the doctrine of non-action, and by this leads bis disciples; and there is a way in which one might rightly say of me that the ascetic Gotama holds the principle of action ? I proclaim the non-doing of various kinds of wicked and evil things. And how might one say of me that the ascetic Gotama holds the principle of action ? I proclaim the doirg of good conduct of body, speech, and thought. I proclaim the doing of various kinds of goods things 65"
The question arises here as to why Nigantha Nataputta criticised the Buddha as an Akiryavadi ? and why the Buddha gave an answer like this? The Satraksianga includes Buddhists among the Akriyavādins, since they do not accept the exis