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Study of Jainism
is no mention of the concept of re-birth in the Vedas, although there is a passing reference to it in the Brahamanas. 5
The antiquity of Jainism can be studied from the points of view of a) Jaina tradition and b) from other traditions and evidences.
a) The Jaina tradition maintains that Jainism is the eternal religion preached by tirthankaras from time to time according to the exigencies of the social and spiritual needs of the People. The wheel of time moves eternally expressing the progressive and the decadent phases of society. The progressive phase is the eon which presents the brighter side of life with plenty and prosperity in spirit and life. This is the Utsarpiņi. Then comes the decadent phase where there is gradual decadence of plenty and prosperity in material and spiritual spheres. This is the Avasarpini eon. Each has been divided into six phases with reference to the prevelance of happiness and bliss. The decadent eon begins with the plenty and prosperity in material and spiritual spheres. It is the Sukhasukha stage. Next comes the sukha stage in which there is still plenty and there is no trace of want or misery. Then gradually the decadence starts with the prevelance of dukkha. In the third and fourth stages dukkha increases by steps and we are made to forget our true nature. We do not hunger and thirst after righteousness. We struggle to get material prospecity irrespective of the altruistic sentiments. During the last part of the third stage and during the fourth stage there is a decline of spirituality, and disvalues predominate. We need prophets to lead us towards the proper path. And tirthankaras' have preached during these periods to help the living beings to move towards perfection. The 24 tirthankaras preached the religion during these periods. This process continues in every eon. The Jaina tradition says that there were 24 tirthankaras in the past eon, and 24 will come in the next eon. In the present eon Rşbha was the first tirthankara and Mahavira was the last and the 24th tirthankara.
b) Considered from the point of view of other traditions and evidences, it is clear that Jainism, as a religion, was not founded by Vardhamāna Mahāvira. Mahāvīra was the last tirthankara. He
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