Exploring Ancient Indian Thought

Ājīvikas, Paribbājakas, and the Doctrine of Niyati

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In the rich landscape of ancient Indian spiritual traditions, several philosophical schools and ascetic movements flourished, each offering unique perspectives on life, existence, and liberation. While most of us are familiar with Buddhism and Jainism, there are lesser-known movements that played a significant role in shaping the spiritual environment of India during the time of the Buddha. Among these were the Ājīvikas and Paribbājakas, two distinct groups that contributed to the diverse philosophical discourse of the era.

Ājīvika: The Followers of Determinism

The term Ājīvika can be broken down linguistically into two parts:

• Ā-, meaning "toward" or "to," and

• Jīva, which stems from jīvati, meaning "to live" or "to exist."

Together, these elements, along with the suffix -ka (which forms a noun), can be understood to mean "…