History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c23.s5.21

c23.s5.21

*Civañāṇa-cittiyār* contains what seems to be a further refinement of the same doctrine. There are two classes of *arhant*, called *maṇṭalar* (Skt. *maṇḍala*) and *cempōtakar* (Skt. *sambodhaka*), of whom the former return to earth and reveal the scriptures.² This theory would seem to be that mentioned in the verse quoted by Malliṣeṇa, in which the Ājīvika *tīrthaṅkaras* are said to return to earth when the religion is in danger.³ The doctrine may be that implied in Buddhaghosa’s classification of the seventh and eighth of the stages of man, wherein the *jina-bhūmi* is below the *pañña-bhūmi*, whose occupants do not speak at all.⁴