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śramaņa, Vol 59, No. 4/October-December 2008
author', In other words, the author claims to have seen and even met the people, and wrote only after having first hand experience. Accordingly, he came across the followers of Buddhism in and around Jodhpur and Rawalpnidi (presently in Pakistan) some of them being well off - and wrote down his experiences. Buddhism in Dabistan-I mazahib
The Dabistan has given the details about the tenets (beliefs) held by the Buddhist monks. In this Persian literature a sect of Buddhist monks has been referred as Jati, quite apparently meaning Yati.? The Persian literature has given details about the their beliefs, life and functions.
The Yatis keep their head and face clean shaved. They are well-learned men, and pass their life in celibacy and sanctity. They possess supernatural powers. They do not belicve in incarnations or Avatārs of the Deity, but they do accept the transmigration of the soul in different bodies.
The Yatis take utmost care of not hurting / killing any living being. The author of the Dabistan had some opportunities to personally see to what extent the Yatis go to save the life of a living being. The author has sited one case of Rawalpindi. There a Yati named Jagna saw a bird in the hands of a fowler. In a bit to save the life of the bird, he bought the bird and, then, set it free.
The Yatis avoid interacting with women.' They deny several dogmas of Hindus, for they detest the Brahmanical doctrines.'' In case any misfortune happens to any Yati, the other Yatis point an accusing finger towards the Brahmanas and sarcastically say that 'the unfortunate Yati must have done something good to a Brahman, and resultantly the misfortune fell on him.'
Mostly the Baniyās or traders are followers of this sect." They have high regard for the Yatis. Whenever a Yati comes to their house for food, they try their utmost to completely satisfy the Yati. However, the Yati does not take advantage of it, and takes only as
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