Ajivika Philosophy in Tamil Nadu

Ajivika Philosophy in Tamil Nadu

Ajivika Philosophy

The Ajivikas believed in the doctrine of karma, transmigration of the soul and determinism. The head of Ajivika sect was Gosala Mankhaliputta. The Ajivikas practiced asceticism of a severe type. The Ajivika religious order and school of philosophy is known from the Vedic hymns, the Brahmanas, the Aryankas and other ancient Sanskrit compilations and treatises of the pre-Jaina and pre-Buddhist age. Gosala’s ideas live on in other religions, though no Ajivika literature has survived.

Gosala was closely associated with Mahavira for six years and then they parted company. The Mauryan emperor Asoka and his grandson Dasaratha patronised the Ajivikas. After the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, the sect declined in northern India, but had by then spread into southern India where it continued to exist for many centuries.

Throughout history, Ajivikas had to face persecution everywhere. Village communities under Pallavas, Cholas and Hoysalas imposed special taxes on them. Despite such obstacles, Ajivikas continued to have influence along the Palar river in the modern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Vellore, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts) till about the 14th century. In the end, they seemed to have been absorbed into Vaishnavism.

Summary

* Sources and literature for study of Jainism are highlighted.

* Presence of Jains in the Tamil country is examined.

* Jain monuments and art in Tamizhakam, in particular Sittanavasal and Kazhugumalai are illustrated.

* The Jain contribution to education through ‘Palli’ is explained.

* Buddhist teachings are analysed.

* Buddhism in the Tamil country is explored.

* Buddhist legacy in Tamizhakam is discussed.

* The essence of Ajivika philosophy and its presence in Tamil Nadu is detailed.

References

1. Glimpses of World Religions: Buddhism, Jaico, 2004).

2. Henry Thomas, Dana Lee Thomas, Living Biographies of Great Religious Leaders, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1996.

3. Abraham Early, Gem in the Lotus, Penguin, 2002.

4. P.C. Alexander, Buddhism in Kerala, Annamalai University, 1949.

5. Times of India, 21 July 2014.

6. The Hindu, 7 September 2014.

Glossary

1. heterodox not conforming to orthodox beliefs, especially religious ones, unorthodox பழமை சாராத, வழக்கத்திலுள்ள  மதக்கொள்கைககு மாறான

2. canon a rule, an accepted principle   ஒரு விதி, பாது ஒழுங்கு

3. unanimous all sharing the same view  ஒருமனதாக

4. ascetic monk, hermit துறவி, சந்நியாசி

5. deteriorate to grow worse சீர்கெடு, மைாசமடை

 6. vestiges things left behind, remains, traces தடங்்கள, அடையாளங்கள, சுவடுகள்

7. cavern a large deep underground cave அடிநில குகை

8. hillock small hill, mound சிறு குன்று

9.  facade the front of a building ககட்டத்தின் முககப்பு

10. frescoes paintings done in water colour on a wall or சுவரில் அல்லது மேற்கூரையில்

11.mural a large picture painted on a wall ceiling வரையப்படும் ஓவியங்கள சுவமராவியம்

12. impetus motivation, stimulus உத்வேககம், உந்துசகதி

13. salvation saving from harm, ruin or loss இரடசிப்பு, முகதி, விமைாசனம்

14. sceptic (skeptic) someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs ஐயுறவுவாத, சமய ஐயுறவாளர்

15. craving a strong desire அடக்கமுடியாத ஆசை, மிகு விருப்பம்

16. persecution unfair treatment of a person or a group, especially because of their religious or political beliefs  துன்புறுத்தல், அடககுமுறை

ICT CORNER

BUDDHISM

 To know and learn about the Buddhism through this activity

PROCEDURE :

Step 1: Open the Browser and type the URL (or) Scan the QR Code.

Step 2: Story of Buddha page will appear on the screen.

Step 3: Click on the Image to know about the story of Buddha.

Step 4: Click on the ebook below the image to download the PDF.

Web URL:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/storybuddha.htm

*Pictures are indicative only