Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s9.t2: 4.7.2 Ājīvika presence in the caves
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s9.t2
- Language
- English
4.7.2 Ājīvika presence in the caves
c23.s9.t2.1
Mahalingam suggested that, in addition to the Buddhist and Jaina monks, Ājīvika ascetics were also present in the caves.⁴ While the Ājīvika sect was known in the Tamil country from ancient times as attested by literary evidence and inscriptions, there is no evidence that it ever had a large following. Mahalingam's view that "considerable sections of the population seem to have been attracted to this faith which had taken a deep root in the country and had attained good progress apparently with large patronage"⁵ is overstated and has not been generally accepted. The decipherment of the Tamil-Brāhmī cave inscriptions has not produced any evidence of Ājīvika association with the Tamil caves.⁶
c23.s9.t2.2
⁴ T.V. Mahalingam 1967: pp. 188-192.
c23.s9.t2.3
⁵ Ibid. p. 188.
c23.s9.t2.4
⁶ For a succinct account of the Ājīvikas in Tamil country, See R. Vijayalakshmy 1988.