[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c7.91 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.91 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c7.91 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c7.91](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7.91) Ajīvakā.—A class of naked ascetics (see, e.g., Vin. i. 291), followers of Makkhali Gosāla, regarded, from the Buddhist point of view, as the worst of sophists. Numerous references to the Ājīvakas are to be found in the Piṭakas, only a few of them being at all complimentary. Thus in the Mahā Saccaka Sutta¹ they are spoken of as going about naked, flouting life’s decencies and licking their hands after meals. But they never incurred the guilt of obeying another man’s command, of accepting food specially prepared for them, of accepting food from people while eating, from a pregnant woman, or nursing mother, or from gleanings in time of famine; they would never eat where a dog was already at hand, or where hungry flies were congregated. They never touched flesh, fish or intoxicants, and they had a rigid scale of food rationing. It is mentioned that they did not always find it possible to adhere to this rigid code of conduct. - [Previous: v1.c7.90](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7.90) - [Next: v1.c7.92](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7.92) - [Up: v1.c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7) ## Linked texts (1) - [Vinayapiṭaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.vp) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7.91](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c7.91) · Pramāṇa