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Rishibhashit : A Study
the wordly life, the fundamental cause of wordly life will have to be destroyed. Besides this, from philosphical angle Bhayali propagates that neither Sat (the existant reality) nor Asat (non-existant reality) has any cause. The Asat (non existant reality) does not enter the chain of cyclic rebirth.
Thus in his preachings we find that basic premise of Upanishad, Gita, and Sankhya, according to which it is believed that Sat is never destroyed and Asat never comes to existance. The same hypothesis has been stated in this chapter in a different way.
As regards the first name Metejja is concerned, the tenth Ganadhar (principle disciple) of Mahavir was also named Metejja. But in my opinion this was a different person. Besides this there is a mention of another Metejja Sraman who was living in Rajasthan and sacrificed himself adhering to the vow of Ahimsa. This person is also mentioned in Avashyak-Niryukti,142 Visheshavashyak-Bhashya,143 Avashyak-churni,144 Sthanang, 145 and the Abhaya Dev Commentary of Sthanang.146 Although this person and Metejja Bhayali of Rishibhashit appear to be the same person but in absence of any conclusive evidence nothing more can be said,
In Buddhist tradition mention is available about one Mettai Ther147 who was connected to a Brahman family of Magadh. On becoming adult he became a forest dwelling monk. Later he met Buddha, had a discussion and joined the Sangha (Monk organisation); he became Arhat in the end. Besides him is also available in Buddhist tradition a mention of Mettagu Ther, a disciple or Bavari. However, it is difficult to say if Mettai and Mattagu Ther had any connection with Metejja Bhayali.
Besides this, another mention of one Mettiya Ther is also available This Mettiya Ther was also supposed to be the leader of the Chhabbagiya monks. Buddhist tradition also mentions about a Metteya who is believed to be the Ajit Buddha of the future fifth Kalpa. He has been mentioned in the Anagat-vamsh of Mahavamsh. Suttanipata148 also has one Arhat Metteya who was a friend of Tissa. But it is difficult to state as to what connection Metejja Bhayali of Rishibhashit had with Metteya of Buddhist tradition. Buddhist tradition also mentions one Bhaddali Ther. Although there is literal similarity between Bhagali and Bhaddali, it is difficult to establish any similarity between the two.
14. BAHUK The fourteenth chapter of Rishibhashit149 contains compilation of the preachings of Bahuk. Besides Rishibhashit Bahuk has also been
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