Mahavira His Life and Teachings

Author(s): Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Luzac and Co UK

Page 25

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MAHĀVĪRA HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS
That he shall depend for his subsistence solely on doles collected outdoors; 3. That he shall wear garments made by stitching together rags picked up from dust-heaps;
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4. That he shall always live under a tree and not under a roof; and
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That he shall never eat fish or meat.' Such are the main outlines of the life and teachings of Mahavira and of the early activities of the Nirgranthas which may be drawn with the aid of Buddhist literature Now let us see how far the narrative may be developed with the facts supplied in the canonical literature of the Jains themselves
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In the Jaina literature Mahāvīra, the last Tirthankara of the Jains, is described as a supreme personality, who was acknowledged as great Brahmana', a great guardian', ' a great guide', a great preacher', 'a great pilot', and 'a great recluse. He figures as a supremely gifted
(
1 Barua, 'The Old Brahmi Inscription of Mahāsthān', IHQ, Vol X, p 61, Vinaya Cullavagga, VIII, I; Oldenberg, Buddha, pp 160-161; N Dutt, Early History of the Spread of Buddhism, p. 222.
2 Uvāsaga-dasão, Lec VII