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wbich country was visited by Rishabbadeva.? When Dwaraka was totally burnt in a great conflagration, then Kujjaraya wbo was the son of Baladeva, the Yadave King, went to Pablva. Now the89 Pabalvas are identi. fied with the Partbians. It is evident from the Jain arcbaeology of Mathura tbat these Parthians came to India and professed Jain faith. At the time of Lord Maha. vira & close contact between India and Pereia was in existence and mapp Persians came to worsbip Tirtbankara Mabavira: We know Prince Ardraka of Persia became a Jain muak dear the Lord. King Samprati sent Jaina mjas. ionaries to this country also. Major General J. G. R. Furlong remarked long ago that Oxiana, Kaspia and cities of Balkba and Samarkand were early centres of their (J1088) faitb. Abu-alla, & Darveab of Basra seems to had come in contact with the Jainas and followed Abinga very minute ly.
18. Japan: Toe teachings of Zen Buddhism in Japan bears reset blance to Jainism and so it is possible that ancient Japanese were in cultural contact witb Jaidas. Recently Japanese scbolars have started studying Jainismi Prof. Ir. Nakamura and bis disciples are taking keen interest in it
19 Netberland: Scholars of Netherland are taking interest in Jain studies M. Buye is making special study of Jajniem in comparison to Buddhism.
20. Tibet The Himalayan region was the early home of JA10180, since Kailash was the sacred place where Lord Risbabba performed penances, gained Omai. science and set the wheel of Dharma roliog. Images of the Tirtuankare are found there in its adjoining country Tibet. Reference to Jainism in the Tibetian manuscripts have been found by Dr. Tucci.
. Thus we see that Jainism was not confined to India only: it was once a religion of world wide pursuance. What is needed now is that scholars should be provided with all facilities to make researoh and study of Jainism abroad 1. Uttaradbayana-Sutare, II, 29 2. Bhauderkara Coinm: Volume, P. 285-88 3. The Short Studies in Science of Comparative-Religion
Intro:, P. 7 4. Der Jainismus, 232 ]
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
