History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c15.s1.17

c15.s1.17

Hoernle, in his study of the Ājīvikas,¹ has interpreted the phrase *hatth’-āpalekhana* in this crucial passage to imply that the Ājīvika monk had no begging-bowl, but received his alms of sticky rice direct into his hand. This statement is open to the criticism that Gosāla himself is depicted in the *Uvāsaga Dasāo* as carrying a begging-bowl (*bhaṇḍaga*).² Further, the *Sūrakṛtāṅga* has a remarkable passage, which, according to the commentator Śīlāṅka, describes Ājīvikas or Digambaras, wherein they are stigmatized for eating out of vessels, presumably those of householders.³