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History of Nirgrantha tradition 49
substantiated by the account of the six-fold classification of heretics in the Buddhist Pitaka literature where Nirgranthas are placed above other kinds of Sramaņas but below the Ajivakas. Thus, Ajivakas joining the Nirgranthas and then separating from them is an important event in Nirgrantha tradition; and also, a comparatively respectful and liberal attitude for the Nirganthas is a sign of partial proximity of the two samghas. The division in the Nirgrantha tradition during the Lifetime of Mahāvira
Another important event during Mahāvīra's lifetime is the differences of views with Jamāli, considered to be his son-in-law, who then left the samgha along with his five hundred disciples. In Bhagavati, Avaśyaka-niryukti and later literature a detailed description is available of this event. Besides, the occurrence of the division in the Nirgrantha-sargha another event is mentioned in the Buddhist Pitaka literature according to which, soon after Mahāvīra's nirvāņa a strong controversy emerged among the monks of his Order and his white-robed disciples. This controversy in the Nirgrantha-sangha also reached Buddha. But there is no discussion in the Pitaka literature of the reasons of this controversy. One possibility is that this controversy could be on the issue of
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