History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c15.s4.22

c15.s4.22

Although the organized Ājīvika sect seems to have been strongest in Kosala, communities of Ājīvika laymen must have existed beyond the bounds of that kingdom at a very early period. The *Aṅguttara* mentions the conversion by the *bhikkhu* Ānanda of "a certain disciple of the Ājīvikas, a householder",² at Kosambi, but no information of interest is given about this single witness to the presence of Ājīvikism in the kingdom of Vamsa. In Magadha we have evidence of the presence of early Ājīvikas of the pre-Makkhali loosely organized class, such as Upaka³; Pāṇḍuputta⁴ is a further example of a Magadhan Ājīvika, whose relations with Makkhali Gosāla's order are uncertain. Barua⁵ would include among wealthy Ājīvika supporters one Kuṇḍakoliya of Kampilla, a *seṭṭhi* even wealthier than Saddālaputta.⁶ But this would appear to be an error, for throughout the relevant passage of the *Uvāsaga Dasāo* Kuṇḍakoliya is referred to as a "servant of the *Samaṇa*" (i.e. of Mahāvīra), and actually succeeds in converting the Ājīvika *deva* who tries to shake his faith in his master.