Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s7.t16.32

v1.c7.s7.t16.32

Nigantha Nataputta has also been mentioned in Pali texts. According to *Samaññaphala Sutta* (Book 29), “Nigantha refrains from all cold water, follows all restraints and avoid all evils”, shows some characteristics of Nigantha Nataputta and later Jainas. Restraint from cold water has something to do with the Jain concept that atman exists in all things (including earth, water, plants, etc.). Since water contains atman as well, drinking cold water will kill atman in it, and killing is an violation of ordinances and has to be stopped. “Follow all restraints and avoid all evils” is also related to Jain asceticism and other strict religious practices.