History - Other Heterodox Sect : Ajivika | 9th Social Science : History : Intellectual Awakening and Socio-Political Changes

Chapter: 9th Social Science : History : Intellectual Awakening and Socio-Political Changes

Other Heterodox Sect : Ajivika

The period that produced Buddhism and Jainism also witnessed the birth of a sect known as Ajivika.

Other Heterodox Sect : Ajivika

Ajivika

The period that produced Buddhism and Jainism also witnessed the birth of a sect known as Ajivika. Its founder was Gosala (Maskariputra Gosala), a friend of Mahavira. For some time, they were together. Later, Gosala moved away and founded the Ajiviaka sect. As an atheistic sect, Ajivikas rejected the karma theory, which postulated that the condition of men is determined by their past actions. Gosala argued that acts of charity and piety can, in no way, influence this finality.

Ajivikas had a small presence in southern India. Under the Cholas, a special tax was levied on them. Three Tamil texts, the Manimekalai of Buddhists, the Nilakesi of Jains and the Sivajnanasiddhiyar of Saivites, contain the outlines of Ajivika doctrine.

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9th Social Science : History : Intellectual Awakening and Socio-Political Changes : Other Heterodox Sect : Ajivika | History