Medieval Jainism

SR No.: 011082
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhasker Anand Saletore
Publisher: Karnataka Publishing House
Total Pages: 448
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 234

CRITICAL TIMES
219 of Jainas identical with the Kşapanakas Yāpaniyas, Nagna (or naked), and Bhagna (wounded) beggars mentioned in literature and epigraphic records.1
But the Ājivikas were not Jainas; and it is doubtful whether they can be identified with the Yāpaniyas mentioned in Jaina literature and in stone inscriptions. In the first place, we may note that the Ājīvikas are mentioned as distinct from the Jainas in Buddhist literature. Secondly, in
1. Rice, E. C. X. Kl. 28, p. 7. The Ajivika sect was founded by Gosala, a contemporary of Mahāvīra and Gautama. Charpentier is of opinion that the Ajīvikas were older than Gosala, himself. J. R. A. S. for 1913, pp. 669-674. But there is nothing new in this opinion, for Monier Williams expressed it long ago. J. R. A. S. XX, p. 277. (O.S.). Ramaswami makes Gośala a quondam disciple of Mahāvīra, Studies ; p. 7. The Ajivikas mentioned in the Edicts of Asoka, have been variously identified with Buddhist Bhiksus, Jaina mendicants, and even with Vaisnavites ! Read Hultzsch, Inscriptions of Asoka (Corpus Insc. Int dicarum, Vol. I.), pp. 136, and ibid, n(3), 181. They figure in Buddhist literature. Cowell, The Jataka ; I, pp. 124 ; 206, 229, 307 ; II. pp. 181, 187 ; III. p. 159; V. p. 8, 42, 45; VI. pp. 115, 119, 121 ; Geiger, Mahāvamso, p. 75, and ibid, n (2) ; Neumann, Digha Nikāya, pp. 2,248, and ibid, n(139) ; A. Banerjee Sastri, J. Bihar Or. R. S. XII, p. 532-562. For a full note on the Ajivikas read Hoernle's admirable account in Hastings, Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, I., pp. 259-268. Read also Benimadhab Barua, A History of Pre-Buddhistic Indian Philosophy, Ch. XXI, pp. 297-318 (Calcutta, 1921) [I owe this reference to Dr. Barua's work to Dr. S. M. Katre). Amulya Candra Sen, Schools and Sects in Jaina literature (Visvabhārati Studies. No.3). On their identification with the Vaişņavas, read Bühler, I. A. XX, pp. 316 seq. This is rejected by D. R. Bhandarkar, J. Bom. R. A. S., XXI, pp. 399 seq; 1. A. XLI, pp. 88, 286 seq.
2. Read Majjhima Nikaya. I. pp. 238, 524 ; Rhys Davids, Dialogues of the Buddha, I pp. 71, 219-220, 227, 232 (S.B.E.II) I owe these references to my wife.