Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s7.t18.8

v1.c7.s7.t18.8

thought of the “emptiness” concept in the Buddhist philosophy. Like the other two Samana masters, Pakudha Kaccayana also repudiated the theory of poetic justice or karma, believing in the spontaneity of birth and change of things or lives. Because he claimed that there was nothing one can do, he was considered somewhat fatalist. His thoughts bear a striking resemblance to those of Makkhali Gosala, so much so that the two were often confused in Buddhist scriptures. Normally the theories of Makkhali Gosala were deemed the orthodox of the school, while those of Pakudha Kaccayana were held to be heretic.