Prolegomena to Prakritica et Jainica

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 91

PROLEGOMENA TO PRAKRITICA et JAINICA
be our task to examine the many references throughout the canon with a view to find out what views each of them upheld and whether any of them can be identified with schools whose doctrines we are familiar with. This will serve a double purpose of showing in the first place what was the historical background of the Nirgrantha doctrine, what views they felt called upon to refute and thereby establish the superiority of the Nirgrantha creed, and secondly of showing though in an indirect manner, the condition of many doctrines of the time by means of the light thrown by the Jainas regarding the philosophical and religious atmosphere of India of that period. It is agreed that a hostile critic's remarks cannot be accepted in full in judging the value or contents of a creed it took upon itself to criticise, yet the opinion of an adverse critic seen through a proper perspective has its own value for historical purposes, indicating as it does the currents of popular opinion. It is to be remembered that this work is not intended to be a history of the philosophies of the time. The principal object is to get as clear an idea as is possible of the tenets, as they appeared to the Nirgranthas, of other schools and sects in those ancient days with a view to create a suitable background for the study of Jainism.
Many of the statements met with in different places are vague, such as the vehement denunciation of those who injure earth-bodies, water-bodies, plants, wind. bodies, animals, etc. 18 for such would apply to many nonNirgranthas. Jacobi thinks on the authority of Silānka,
of Prince Śiva where cosmographic details form the subject of the disputes; and in 1912.435, where duration of the gods' lives in different heavens is hotly debated. Manifold disputes and their uselessness are also referred to by the Buddhists in Dutthatthaka, Suddhatthaka, paramasthaka, Pasūra, Māgandiya, Culaviyaha and Mahātiyuha Suttas
of the Atthakavagga. 18. Acār. S. I. 1.2.2; I.i.3.4; I.1.5.4; I.1.7.2; I.i. 6.4. 19. SBE.xxii.p.4