________________
CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAINS
Shri Jinendra Das Jain B. Sc. (Ind- Chem.) B. Sc. (Engg.) 8.D.O., P.W.D. (I. B.) Punjab Government.
1. Origin: It is wrong to виррове that Jainism arose with Lord Mahavira. He is not the founder of Jainism,1 but merely a reviver of the faith; which existed long before him.2 The series of 24 Tirthankaras (Prophets) each with his distinctive emblem (f) was evidently & firmly believed in the beginning of the Christian " When Shri Ramchandra ji was contemporary of 20th Tirthankara Lord Mansumarata Natha, Lord Krishna of 22nd Tirthankara Lord Nemi Natha & Mahatma Buddha of
era.
24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavira, how can Shri Manavira or 23rd Tirthankara Lord Parasva Natha be the found. er of Jainism? "Had it heen so the Hindus would have never said that Jainism was founded by Pishbha, the son of Nabhi Raya & instead of confirming the Jaina tradition about the origin of their religion, would have contradicted it as untrue."4
1. (a) Sir Dr. Willam Wilson Hunter: The Indian Empire, P. 663. (b) Aiyangar; Studies in the South Indian Jainism Part I. (c) Encyclopaedia of Religion & Ethie Vol. VII Page 472, (d) Dr. H. S. Bhattacharya; Jain Antiquary, Vol. XV. P. 14. (e) S.S. Tikerkar; Illustrated Weekly, (22nd March 1953) P. 16. (f) This book's Pages, 99, 100, 101, 102, 106 and 111.
2. Prof. A. Chakaravarti; I. E. S: Jain Antiquary, Vol. IX P. 76. 3. Dr. V. A. Smith: Archeological Survey of India Vol. XX P. 6. 4. C. R. Jain, Bar-at-Law: J. H.M. Allahabad (Nov. 1940) P. 4.
[ 233
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
