Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): J L Jaini, F W Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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INTRODUCTION: HISTORY, ETC.
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enumeration of the principal constituent elements of the Universe.
(3) The inclusion of alumni and adhurm, the principles of motion and stationariness, in the class of substances.
From the above considerations Professor Jacobi concludes that Jainism was erolved at a very early period of Indo-Aryan history. It is evident that the Jaina creed has at least as inany centuries as Buddhism belireen its present state and its origination.
Thus we see that Jahāvīra, a prince-ascetic of Vaiśāli, breathed his last at Pāvā-puri in 527 B.C. after having preached Jamism for thirty years in Northern India ; also that he was not the founder, but only a reformer of a previously existing creed, whereof Pārsva-nātha was the head. Pārsva-nātha died in 776 B.C. This is in accordance with Jaina tradition. Epigraphical evidence—chiefly the Jathurā inscriptions dealt with by Dr. Führer—shows that there are dedications and offerings of a very ancient date made to Rishabha. Now Jainism claims that it was founded by Rishabha many and many a long century ago, and that this first preacher was followed by twenty-three others, of whom Pārsva-nātha was the twenty-third, being followed by Vahāvīra, the last Tirtharkara, who attained nirrána 250 years after Pārsta-nātha. Thus historical research allows the beginning and contirins the conclusion of the sacred Jaina tradition. Its main tenour has vet to be verified. The next link in the Jaina tradition is the historicity of Nemi-nätha. who was a prince in Kāthiarādh and tourished before