Difference between revisions of "Ājīvaka"
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| + | [[Ajivika]], an {{Wiki|ascetic}} [[sect]] that emerged in [[India]] about the same time as [[Buddhism]] and {{Wiki|Jainism}} and that lasted until the 14th century; the [[name]] may mean “following the {{Wiki|ascetic}} way of [[life]].” It was founded by [[Goshala Maskariputra]] (also called [[Gosala Makkhaliputta]]), a [[friend]] of {{Wiki|Mahavira}}, the 24th [[Tirthankara]] (“Ford-maker,” i.e., saviour) of [[Jainism]]. His [[doctrines]] and those of his followers are known only from [[Buddhist]] and {{Wiki|Jain}} sources, which [[state]] that he was lowborn and [[died]] after a quarrel with {{Wiki|Mahavira}} shortly before the [[Buddha]] [[died]]. | ||
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| + | The sect’s opponents portrayed [[Ajivika]] as professing total {{Wiki|determinism}} in the [[transmigration]] of {{Wiki|souls}}, or series of [[rebirths]]. Whereas other groups believed that an {{Wiki|individual}} can better his or her lot in the course of [[transmigration]], the [[Ajivikas]] supposedly held that the affairs of the entire {{Wiki|universe}} were ordered by a [[cosmic]] force called [[niyati]] ([[Sanskrit]]: “{{Wiki|rule}}” or “[[destiny]]”) that determined all events, including an individual’s [[fate]], to the last detail and that barred personal efforts to change or accelerate improvement toward one’s [[spiritual]] {{Wiki|destiny}}. As a result of this static and {{Wiki|melancholy}} view of the [[human]] [[condition]], the [[Ajivikas]] practiced austerities rather than pursue any purposeful goal. | ||
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| + | After a period of [[acceptance]] during the reign of the [[wikipedia:Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] {{Wiki|dynasty}} (3rd century bce), the [[sect]] declined, although followers lived on until the 14th century in the region that became the {{Wiki|modern}} [[state]] of {{Wiki|Mysore}}. Some later [[Ajivikas]] worshipped [[Goshala]] as a [[divinity]], and the [[tenet]] of [[niyati]] developed into the [[doctrine]] that all change was [[illusory]] and that everything was eternally immobile. | ||
| + | {{R}} | ||
| + | [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/11266/Ajivika britannica.com] | ||
| + | [[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:48, 16 March 2015
Ajivika, an ascetic sect that emerged in India about the same time as Buddhism and Jainism and that lasted until the 14th century; the name may mean “following the ascetic way of life.” It was founded by Goshala Maskariputra (also called Gosala Makkhaliputta), a friend of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (“Ford-maker,” i.e., saviour) of Jainism. His doctrines and those of his followers are known only from Buddhist and Jain sources, which state that he was lowborn and died after a quarrel with Mahavira shortly before the Buddha died.
The sect’s opponents portrayed Ajivika as professing total determinism in the transmigration of souls, or series of rebirths. Whereas other groups believed that an individual can better his or her lot in the course of transmigration, the Ajivikas supposedly held that the affairs of the entire universe were ordered by a cosmic force called niyati (Sanskrit: “rule” or “destiny”) that determined all events, including an individual’s fate, to the last detail and that barred personal efforts to change or accelerate improvement toward one’s spiritual destiny. As a result of this static and melancholy view of the human condition, the Ajivikas practiced austerities rather than pursue any purposeful goal.
After a period of acceptance during the reign of the Mauryan dynasty (3rd century bce), the sect declined, although followers lived on until the 14th century in the region that became the modern state of Mysore. Some later Ajivikas worshipped Goshala as a divinity, and the tenet of niyati developed into the doctrine that all change was illusory and that everything was eternally immobile.
