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2. PRAKRIT AS A VEHICLE OF PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT
- Late Prof. Dr. Nathmal Tatia
1. Introduction:
The non-Vedic people in ancient India learnt the new Language adapting it to their tongue and speech habits. The result was the growth of Prakrits varying from region to region. Their thought found expression as Jainism, Ajivikism and Buddhism. Parallel extracts show a close affinity between Ardha-Māgadhī and Pali, the Language of the Jaina and Buddhist scriptures respectively. We find common texts used by the Jainas and Buddhists to expound their respective attitudes towards the same problem. While the Jainas considered any kind of act involving injury to life as serious moral lapse, the Buddha was never tried of asking his disciples to ward off any kind of evil thought crossing the threshold of consciousness. The word 'Prakrit' used in the world of scholars should be understood to cover the traditional Prakrits as well pali, the Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit and Apabhramsa.
2. Philosophy through Prakrits :
It one wants to know all about the life of Mahavira and the essence of his philosophy as actually lived and preached by him, one can find both at once at one place in the Ayāramga Sutta. The Suyagadam is devoted to an evaluation of a good many non-Jaina creeds and doctrines. The Samayajjhayana discusses as many as ten metaphysical and ethical doctrines. The Samosaranajjhayana mentions four classes of doctrines - Kiriya, akiriya, vinaya and annaāņa. An interesting account of heretical teachers is provided through allegory in the pondariyajjahayaṇa, which reminds one of the pali Sāmaññaohala Sutta. The Buddhist view of the morality of an act is
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