Ajivika, Buddhism and Jainism: Why the 3rd Shramana religion "Ajivika" was lost after 2000 years

When Buddhism and Jainism were taking roots in India, they were just two of more than 62 religious groups that originated in India during the sixth century BC. Of these 62 religions only Buddhism and Jainism survived to the modern ages and the rest perished with time leaving hardly any trace behind. But one of those schools managed to survive for the next two thousand years, only to vanish forever during the late medieval times. This was the third-largest religious group having its origins in the Shramana tradition and was followed by a large population for the next several centuries. This was the Ajivika sect. But this religion was lost in India after remaining the third largest Shramana religion in India for more than 2000 years.
The founder of this religion Makhhali Gosala was one of the most radical and colourful religious figures and he was preaching at the same time when Buddha and Mahavira were roaming around the Gangetic plains of India.

#Ajivika #Religion #Goshala


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