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THE PRACTICAL PATH,
Mahavira whose teachings he collected together, was a contemporary of Buddha Gautama the reputed founder of Buddhism and of Akshapada Gautama the Brahman author of the Nyaya Sutras."
Turning to the European writers on the subject, the following from the Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. VII. p. 465, may be taken to be the last word on the subject :
“Notwithstanding the radical difference in their philosophical notions, Jainism and Buddhism, being originally both orders of monks outside the pale of Brahmanism, present some resemblance in outward appearance, so that even Indian writers occasionally have confounded them. It is, therfore, not to be wondered at that some European scholars who became acquainted with Jainism through inadequate samples of Jaina literature easily persuaded themselves that it was an offshoot of Buddhism, But it has since been proved beyond doubt that their theory is wrong, and that Jainism is at least as old as Buddhism. For the canonical books of the Buddhists frequently mention the Jains as a rival sect, under their old name Nigantha......and their leader in Buddha's time, Nataputta (Nata-or Natiputta being an epithet of the last prophet of the Jains, Vardbamana Mahavira), and they name the place of the latter's death Pava, in agreement with Jain tradition. On the other hand, the canonical books of the Jains mention as contemporaries of Mahavira the same kings as reigned during Buddha's career, and one of the latter's rivals. Thus it is established that Mahavira was a contemporary of Buddha, and probably somewhat older than the latter, who outlived his rival's decease at Pava. Mahavira, however unlike Buddha, was most probably not the founder of the sect which reveres him as their prophet, nor the author of their religion......... His predecessor, Parsva, the last Tirthamkara but one, seems to have better claims to the title of the founder of Jainism,............ but in the absence of historical documents we cannot venture to go beyond a conjecture."
We may also quote the great authority of Dr. Johann Georg Buhler, C. I. E., LL. D., Ph. D., who writes (see The Jainas', pages 22 & 23):
" ......the Buddhists themselves confirm the statements of the Jainas about their prophet. Old historical traditions and
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