Ajivika: An Ancient Indian Philosophical Tradition
The Ājīvika school is an ancient Indian philosophical and religious tradition that emerged in the 5th century BCE. Known for its doctrine of absolute fatalism, it was considered one of the nāstika or heterodox schools, which opposed the orthodox Vedic beliefs. The Ājīvikas were part of the Śramaṇa movement, which included other significant philosophies such as Buddhism, Jainism, Cārvāka, and Ajñana.
Founding and Philosophy
The Ājīvika tradition was founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira. Gosala's teachings focused on determinism, positing that all events are preordained, and human effort or action has no influence over the outcomes of one's life. This extreme determinism is often equated with fatalism.
The Ājīvikas believed in a materialistic and non-theistic worldview, positing a mechanism of the universe that is autonomous and operates independently of divine intervention. They rejected the notion of karma as the determinant of one's life course, which was a central tenet of both Buddhism and Jainism. Instead, they adhered to a belief in an impersonal cosmic order.
Influence and Historical Significance
Despite their significant philosophical contributions, Ājīvika's influence waned over time. However, it was a major rival to Buddhism and Jainism during its peak. The Mauryan emperor Bindusara was known to be a patron of the Ājīvikas. The caves at the Barabar Hills, commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, were used by the Ājīvika monks, indicating their prominence in ancient India.
The Ājīvika commitment to asceticism was renowned, with followers living in stark simplicity, often going without clothes, similar to other ascetic traditions of the time. They emphasized meditation and self-discipline as means of understanding the universe.
Relation to Other Philosophical Traditions
The Ājīvika school's deterministic philosophy contrasts sharply with the karmic emphasis of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, which posit that actions in this life influence future lives. Their teachings contributed to philosophical debates in ancient India, influencing various streams of thought. The Ājīvika approach provided a counter-narrative to the dominant religious and philosophical paradigms of the time.
The tradition also bears similarities to other ancient philosophies outside India, such as the Stoicism of ancient Greece, which also advocated for living in harmony with a rational and deterministic universe.
Decline and Legacy
Despite its early significance, the Ājīvika sect gradually faded, with very few texts surviving. Their decline is attributed to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism and the integrated orthodoxy of Hindu traditions. However, the Ājīvika philosophy left a lasting impact on the broader philosophical landscape of ancient India and continues to be a subject of interest for scholars studying the diversity of Indian philosophical thought.