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his establishes the fact that in many a family, both the religions were simultaneous ly observed. Both the religions have attached high value to making offers to their respective monks. But it is nowhere mentioned in the Jaina texts that any offer made to a nigantha monk earns one a seat in Brahmaloka.
47. Nālaka Parivrājaka
On a piece of information from a monk named Asita, Nalaka Parivrājaka came to Vārānasi, held discussions with all spiritual leaders, including Nigantha Nätaputta, one by one, but was not happy. At last, he had discussion with Buddha and he was satisfied.
Source: · Mahāvastu, Tr. by J.J. Jones,
Vol. III, pp. 379-88.
VO
Comment
This story has come down from the Mahāyāna tradition. In the Hina yāna tradition too, in Sutta Nipāta, Nālaka Sutta, 37, we have the same story, but other spiritual leaders have not been brought in.
48. With the Jina Śrāvakas
This is a story told by Buddha to his followers. When at Vaisā li he went to a jina Srāvaka named Arādhakālāma the core of whose teaching was, "Renounce, renounce", is śrāvakas would say, "we renounce, we renounce". He became a disciple unto him. Soon it was clear that . Buddha knew no less than Aradhakālāmi. So the latter made him his partner in the organisation. But, added Buddha, "I felt that this much knowledge was not adequate for the destruction of sin, I must search for more. So I departed".
The same thing happened with another, Udraka Rāmiputra. Buddha departed from there too.
Source: Mahāvastu, Tr. by J.J. Jones, Vol. II
pp. 114-17
