Jain Journal 1991 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 44

APRIL, 1991
187
and the Rsibhāsita, Ramaputta is mentioned in the Sthānăngao and in the Anuttaropapātika,10 The Anuttaropapātika refers him as a contemporary of Lord Mahāvira. In the Rșibhäșita, he is said to have preached about knowledge (jñana), perception (darśana) and conduct (cāritra).11 Ramaputta also emphasises the ascetic process of eliminating the micro-particles of karma.
The earliest Buddhist texts describe him in detail. The Pali Tripitaka give his full name as Uddaka Rāmaputta and inform us that he was older than the Buddha himself. When Gautama Buddha renounced the world in search of true knowledge, he became a disciple of Ramaputta and received the knowledge of meditational process from him. After getting Omniscience the Buddha wanted to preach to him but by then, Ramaputta was dead.12
Thus both the Jaina and the Buddhist traditions place him as a saint contemporary to Mahavira and the Buddha. He was a revered ascetic who was an expert in meditation,
Bahuka-- Bahuka seems to have been the preacher of an independent Šramana tradition. The Rsibhāşita contains his teachings. 13 Besides the Rsibhā sita and the Sūtrak rtānga he is mentioned in the Sūtrak stānga Cūrņi and in the commentary on Sūtrakrtānga written by Silankācārya. The essence of his teaching is detachment from everything i,e, from thirst (trsņā) and the world. According to Bahuka, one who is detached, alone can go on the path of liberation and contrary to this, attachment with any kind will lead to hell. Besides, he lays stress on pure thoughts which alone can be ethical. Bahuka has ealled himself to be free from attachment in the Rşibhāşita.14
Buddhist literature does not present him as Bahuka but as an Arhat named Bahiya Daruciriya.15 In the Anguttara Nikāya Babiya is said to be the foremost among those who instantly comprehend the truth.
9 Sthananga, 755 10 Anuttaropapatika, 3/6 11 णाणेणं जाणिय दंसणेण पासित्ता संजमेण संजमिय तवेण अट ठविह कम्मरयमलं विधुणित विसोहिय।
- Rsibhasita, Chapter 23 12 Pali Proper Names, Vol. I, pp. 382-83 13 Rsibhasita, Chapter 14 14 3779 TET-Ibid 15 Pali Proper Names, Vol. II, pp. 281-83