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Comparative Antiquity of Jainism. 1934.
I propose in this article to place before the world, the result of investigation in comparative religion, in so far as it tends to fix the comparative ages of the two of the world's oldest religions, namely, Jainism and Hinduism. I am aware that my views are not very likely to be acceptable to the generality of the readers at present, but I am confident that they shall ultimately prevail. Such is always the case with all new things.
If I were not a Jaina it would be easier for me to say what I have to say, for in that case, I should not be exposed to attacks, vicious and otherwise, on the count of blas and bigotry inasmuch as the result of the investigations made by me, is the establishment of the greater antiquity of Jainism. Never the less, I give my reasons for this conclusion, and leave the reader to say what he likes about me and my method,
It is now established as the result of recent research, especially of the finds of Mohenjo-Dars that Jainism flourished actually long-long before the time of the twenty-third Tīrthankara Pārsva Nāth. The age of the finds at Mohenjo-Dara is probably 5000-7000 years ago in the past, Hinduism also flourished then, bide by side, with Jainism. The question is which of them is prior in time?
Of the scriptures of Hinduism, it is now recognized on all hands that the Rig Veda is the oldest, so that if we were to understand its origin we can only do so with the aid of the Rig Veda which appears to be the oldest written scripture extant.
From an essay on Comparative Antiquity of Jainism in Jainism and World Problems by C. R. Jain. 1934,
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