Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge c8.88

c8.88

(180) We are inclined to agree with Basham when he says that the above passage is 'satirical' but only in the sense that it seems to give a rather inexact version of the philosophy of Sañjaya, to whom the Buddhists seem to have been somewhat antipathetic. In fact, the account given gives the impression that Sañjaya was a naïve Sceptic, who adopted Scepticism out of sheer stupidity, either because he did not know the answers to the questions put to him or the fact that one of the logical alternatives must be true. Both the Brahmajāla Sutta and the Sāmaññaphala Sutta (D. I.58–9) versions emphasize the dullness and stupidity of this thinker as a result of which scepticism is the outcome. In the Brahmajāla Sutta, out of the sixtytwo philosophical schools, whose views are stated, this is the only one that is picked out as being 'a product of sheer stupidity' (mandattā momūhattā, *loc. cit.*). In the Sāmaññaphala Sutta, it is stated as the impression of Ajātasattu that Sañjaya 'was the most foolish and stupid'¹ of all the recluses and brahmins. If Sāriputta, who is lauded for his intelligence, could have been at one time the disciple of Sañjaya,² Sañjaya could not have been as stupid as he is made out to be and besides he would not have attracted such a large following. What then could be the motive for singling out this particular school of Scepticism as a product of folly? One difference that we notice is that in the former three schools of Sceptics there seems to be some conception of the good life, whether they believed in salvation or not, and the sceptical attitude seems at least to have been regarded as psychologically desirable in promoting one's peace of mind. Sañjaya on the other hand may have been a more thorough-going sceptic, who made no pretence about the desirability of scepticism as a way of life. He would thus have been much more outspoken and critical of the views of his opponents. As a result the Buddhists may have regarded him as being more deluded than the other Sceptics who in spite of their theoretical scepticism had the good sense to cultivate the tranquillity of mind, which was highly valued in Buddhism as well.