Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 81

Dr. Zimmet opinies that "Jainism along with Yoga and Sankhya systems of thought existed in the country before the Aryans came to India."
A glance over the glorious past of Jainism reveals the fact that the lives of Rishabhadeva and the succeeding, twentythree Tirthankaras had deeply impressed the entire world culture. When Alexander had invaded over India he came across a host of nude Jain saints in Taxila, whom the Greek writers call 'Gymnosophists'. The Greek word connotes the nude philosopher. The maystic group of Israel, called the Essenes, was much influenced by these 'Gymnosophists', who were preaching their message of Ahimsa, the central truth in Jainism to the people of Alexandria in Egypt, Historical records tell us that the Greeks were much influenced by Jain thought. Alexander had taken one Jain saint Calanes with him to his country.
It is to be noted that the Essenes of Israel were ascetics following the tenets of Ahimsa. They had great hold upon the people and that they commanded deep influence in Palestine. John the Baptist was an ascetic teacher of this school of Essenism. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity was much influ. enced by Joha's non-violence cult and other teachers of Essenism. In six hundred B. C this cult of non-violence was progressing beyond Syria and Palestine. The Jajn-teachings had also influenced Pythagoras, the philosopher of pre-Socratic period, who flourished in 532 B. C. and led the non-violent