Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 473

448
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. VII
Customs
It is recorded in the BNS that the Ājāvika layman observed the principles of non-violence as approved by the Nirgrantha religion. They regarded their leader Gośāla as god and attended upon their parents and they were non-eaters (or takers) of five kinds of fruits, viz. udunbara (udumbara fruit), vata (banian fruit), vora (jujube), satara (afijīra) fruit, pilankhu (a kind of fruit) and renouncer of onion, garlic and bulbous roots. They passed their time by the occupations without castrating domestic cattle (cows), branding them and perforating their noses with the thought free from the act of killing moving beings.
Difference between Ajīvikism and Sramaņa-Nirgrantha Dharma
The fundamental difference between Ajīvikisin and Sramana Nirgrantha Dharma as recorded in the BhS lies in the doctrine of reanimation as propounded by Gośāla in opposition to the established theory of Lord Mahāvīra on the birth and rebirth of beings.
Besides, there were other religious disputes between the Ajīvika Sramañopāsakas and the Niryranthu Sramaño pasakas over the observance of Sâmāyika-vrata and other vows. For example, it is stated that a N. Sramaạopāsaka observing Silavrata, Guņavrata, Viramanavrata, Pratyālchyānavrata and Paușadhavrata becomes free froin the thought of attachment to the worldly objects, wife and wealth as a result of his performance of these vows.
The N. Sramaņapāsakas practise the following vows, viz. renunciation of three kinds of acts of killing (to kill, to cause to kill and to approve to kill), that of telling lie ; that of sexual union, and that of possession together with their divisions and pratikramana (self-analysis), retrace from the past acts, confession and repentance), stoppage of the present act and renouncement of the future act by mental, vocal and bodily activities.' But the Ajrviku-Sramanopāsakas do not observe them.
i Bhs, 8, 5, 329.
? 16, 8, 5, 328-29.