History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c17.s3.8

c17.s3.8

1. The text refers to Mahāvīra as having understood the doctrines of the *Kriyāvādins*, *Akriyāvādins*, *Vainayikas*, and *Ajñānavādins*. On the third of these schools Śīlāṅka comments: “Saying ‘Salvation comes only from good conduct’, the followers of the doctrine of Gosālaka walk in the path of good conduct, and are hence termed Vainayikas.”⁶ 2. On another passage, which describes certain ascetics who revile the monk leading a righteous life, Śīlāṅka comments with an ambiguous phrase which has formed the basis of an important theory of Hoernle’s: “They are the Ājīvikas who follow the doctrine of Gośāla, or Digambaras.” ¹