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are mentioned to have connections with the rolers of Lanka. Io the mediaeval period Muni Yasha Kirti was bonoured by the then king of Ceylon and probably be visited the Island and preached Jain doctrines there'.
10 China—The cultural relationsbip between Chips and India is of great antiquity, which is beyond our comprehension. The Jainas were aware of it since the period of Risbabhadeve, and styled it an an non-aryan oountry, which fact is borne out by the history of Chica itself, for; it is said that the original inbabitants of China were uncultored people and tbe Cbinese people, who belong to the Mongolian stock, are said to have migrated to that country from somewhere near the Caspian sea'. Weber found a great similarity between the astronomical theories of tbe Jainas and the Chinese and he conjectured that the Chinese might have borrowed it from the Jainas through the Buddbiste. The ancient religious teachings of the Cbina were indentical to Jainism, 80 wrote Sb Champat Rai Jain". A certain image of the Buddha is 80 very striking and similar to that of a Jaina that even & staunch Jain would not hesitate to accept it for that of a Jaina Tirthapkara. According to Dr. Guisspe Tucci Chinese literature abounds with references to Jaina who are called Nigrantbas or Aoelekas?. References to China in tbe Jaina literature are multifurious aud the reader is requested to refer to our article entitled"Jainism and Cbina" published in the "Sino Indian journal' 8. 1. Jaina Shilalekha Sangraba (Bombay) P. 112. a. aga ol*(U 2 ( atat )go 18. 3. Hindi Vishwakosba ( Calcutta ) Vol. VI. P. 417. 4. Indian Antiquary, Vol. XXI, P. 16. 5. "The theories of Lao-Tze......are in the main an abridged
version of the teachings of Jainism,"-Jonfluence of Opposites
P.252. 6. Cf. Image of SAHASRA BUDDHA is 20 miles off from
Nanking ( India Pictorial Weekly ). 18th July 1948, 7. "Vira" -Mahavira Jayanti No, Vol. IV, pp. 353-354. 8. Sino Indian Journal. Vol. I. Part II P. 73-84.
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Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
