Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 645

given of the quantum of tinges in the heavenly being, humar beings, subhuman beings and infernal beings. The first three tinges have been considered in-auspicious and the last three auspicious. Such an exhaustive description is to be found nowhere else. According to the doctrine of tinges, the Vaimanika gods have, as per colour one or another of the first three tinges. According to a reference in the Agamas, the Ajivika bhikṣu may after death reach upto the twelfth heaven4. The implication is that they may have red, pink and white tinges. According to the Ajivikas, the niganthas belong to the red and yellow groups. Tejas and padma are synonymous with lohita and haridra 5.
605
es.
According to Jacobi6 and Basham, Mahavira had based his doctrine of lesya on Gosalaka's theory of six subcastBut the reverse may be equally possible. Dr. Basham's logic is that the doctrine of tinges is well coordinated and developed and hence it must have been based on the cruder and earlier view of Gosalaka. What, however, seems more probable is that many a doctrine from the Parsva tradition later got incorporated in the Ajivika, Buddhist and Jaina traditions. According to Buddha's classification, the six subcastes were as follows: black one to which belonged people of low castes, low habits and dark religion; black two with white dharma, black three with neither black nor white dharma, white one with black dharma, white two with white dharma and white three with neither black nor white.
Be it noted that Gosalaka's classification has relevance to present life only while those of Mahavira and Buddha to life hereafter. Wherefrom Buddha derived his classification is fairly clear. It was a part of the current gossip.
4. See above discussion on Gosalaka: the proximity between the Jainas and the Ajivikas.
Dr. Basham's translation of haridra as green is wrong.
6. S. B. E., Vol. XIV, Introduction, p. XXX; 7. Op. cit., p. 245.
5.