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114
The Unknown Pilgrims
Why this difference? Gautama explained that Pārsva and Mahāvira had been guided by the lofty wisdom that they possessed,25 and that the linga, or external mark that classed them as ascetics, was on account of their position in society where they were recognised as such by means of certain signs.26 He hastened to add that the two tirtharkaras were, without any doubt at all, in agreement as to the essential:
In reality, the assertion (of both the tirthankaras) is that the true means (for attaining) moksa is: [right] knowledge, (right) belief, and [right] conduct.27
Furthermore, we know that the parents of Mahāvira followed the teaching of Pārśva. 28
The mention in Scripture of disciples of Pārsvanātha and the spiritual association with him of the family of Mahāvira gives credence to the suggestion that in all probability Pārsvanātha was the founder of the Jaina dharma, which may have been in existence before him in an as yet ill-defined form. Mahavira, thanks to his personal greatness, gave it a fresh impetus by instituting a rigorous asceticism, bequeathing to the ascetics rules of life based on the fundamental ideas of the doctrine, especially those concerning renunciation of all harmful'activity and of all forms of possession.
25 Cf. US XXIII, 31.
26 paccayatthar ca logassa nāņāviha vigappanam
jattattham gahanattham ca loe limgappaoyanam. US XXIII, 32.
27 aha bhave painnā u mokkhasabbhūyasāhaņā
näņam ca daṁsanaṁ ceva carittam ceva nicchae. US XXIII, 33; cf. ratnatraya, P 269 ff.
28 Cf. AS II, 15, 16.
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