The Doctrine of the Jainas, Described after the Old Sources c6.40.6

c6.40.6

It is possible, to be true, that the system handed down to us was complete already with Pāsa, though it fails to be probable, and certainly it cannot be proved. What is said by Āyār. II 15, 16 about the religious life and death of Mahāvīra’s parents is out of the question with regard to Pāsa’s teaching, particularly since it includes the confession (āloettā. . . paḍikkamittā). For it was by this confession that Mahāvīra’s rules differed from those of Pāsa, or else one would not have spoken of the panca-mahavvaiya sapaḍikkamaṇa dhamma in contrast with his cāujjāma dh. Mahāvīra appears as much too original a thinker than that he should have but repeated what had been in existence since long without adding something of his own.² Otherwise the system would show junctures. But this is not the case.