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CHAPTER VI THE JAINA PHILOSOPHY The Origin of J ainism. NOTWITHSTANDING the radical differences in their philosophical notions J ainism and Buddhism, which were originally both orders of monks outside the pale of Brahmanism, present some re- sem blance in outward appearance, and some European scholars who became acquainted with Jainism through inadequate samples of J aina literature easily persuaded themselves that it was an off- shoot of Buddhism, and even Indians unacquainted with J aina literature are often found to commit the same mistake. But it has now been proved beyond doubt that this idea is wrong and J ainism is at least as old as Buddhism. The oldest Buddhist works frequently mention the J ains as a rival sect, under their old name Nigantha and their leader Nataputta Varddhamana Mahavira, the last prophet of the J ains. The canonical books of the J ains mention as contemporaries of Mahavira the same kings as reigned during Buddha's career. Thus Mahavira was a contemporary of Buddha, but unlike Buddha he was neither the author of the religion nor the founder of the sect, but a monk who having espoused the J aina creed afterwards became the seer and the last prophet (Tirthai1kara) of J ainism 1. His predecessor Parsva, the last Tirthai1kara but one, is said to have died 250 years before Mahavira, while Parsva's predecessor Aritanemi is said to have died 84,000 years before Mahavira's Nirvarya. The story in UttaradhyayallasiUra that a disciple of Parsva met a disciple of Mahavira and brought about the union of the old J ainism and that propounded by Mahavira seems to suggest that this Parsva was probably a historical person. According to the belief of the orthodox J ains, the J aina religion is eternal, and it has been revealed again and again in everyone of the endless succeeding periods of the world by innumerable Tirthai1karas. In the present period the first Tirthai1kara was abha and the last, the 24th, was Vardhamana Mahavira. All 1 See Jacobi's article on Jainism, E. R. E.