From the Sacred Jainism Scripture “Uttaradhyayana,” Lecture 23 – Kêsi and Gautama, Part 1 of 2

We now invite you to listen to the twenty-third lecture of Uttaradhyayana sutra - one of the most important scriptures in Jainism. This lecture, titled “Kêsi and Gautama,” describes a dialog between a disciple of Lord Parshvanatha (vegan), also known as Pârsva, and the chief disciple of Lord Mahavira (vegan), namely Gautama Swami (vegan).

“Then with his permission Kêsi spoke to Gautama: ‘The Law taught by the great sage Pârsva, recognizes but four vows, whilst that of Vardhamâna [Lord Mahavira] enjoins five. Both Laws (True Teachings) pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?’ Then to these words of Kêsi, Gautama made the following reply: ‘Wisdom recognizes the truth of the Law (True Teaching) and the ascertainment of true things.’

‘The Law taught by Vardhamâna [Lord Mahavira] forbids clothes, but that of the great sage Pârsva allows an under and upper garment. Both Laws (True Teachings) pursuing the same end, what has caused this difference? Have you no misgivings about this twofold Law, O wise man?’ To these words of Kêsi, Gautama made the following reply: ‘Deciding the matter by their superior knowledge, (the Tîrthakaras) have fixed what is necessary for carrying out the Law. […] Now the opinion (of the Tîrthakaras) is that knowledge, faith and right conduct are the true causes of final liberation, (and not the outward marks).’

‘Gautama, you stand in the midst of many thousand (foes) who make an attack on you; how have you vanquished them?’ Gautama replied: ‘By vanquishing one, five are vanquished; by vanquishing five, ten are vanquished; by this tenfold victory, I vanquish all foes.’ Kêsi said to Gautama: ‘Whom do you call a foe?’ To these words of Kêsi, Gautama made the following reply: ‘Self is the one invincible foe, (together with the four) cardinal passions, (anger, pride, deceit, and greed, they are five) and the (five) senses (make ten). These (foes), O great sage, I have regularly vanquished.’”