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{{ | {{Short description|6th-century BC Indian ascetic teacher}} | ||
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} | {{use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} | ||
{{use Indian English|date=May 2017}} | {{use Indian English|date=May 2017}} | ||
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| flourished = 6th century BCE | | flourished = 6th century BCE | ||
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{{ | {{Infobox six heretical teachers}} | ||
'''Sañjaya | '''Sañjaya Belatthiputra''' ([[Pali]]: ''{{IAST|Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta}}''; [[Sanskrit]]: ''Sañjaya Vairatiputra''; literally, "Sañjaya of the Belattha clan"), was an Indian [[shramana|ascetic]] philosopher who lived around the 7th-6th century BC in the region of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]]. He was contemporaneous with [[Mahavira]], [[Makkhali Gosala]], [[Ajita Kesakambali]] and [[the Buddha]], and was a proponent of the [[ajñana]] school of thought.<ref>Chakravarty (2021).</ref> | ||
==Teacher== | ==Teacher== | ||
Sanjaya is thought to be the first teacher of the future Buddha's future two great [[sravaka|disciples]], [[Mahamoggallana|Maha-Moggallana]] and [[Sariputta]]. Both of them were followers of a person named Sanjaya | Sanjaya is thought to be the first teacher of the future Buddha's future two great [[sravaka|disciples]], [[Mahamoggallana|Maha-Moggallana]] and [[Sariputta]]. Both of them were followers of a person named Sanjaya Paribajjaka (Sanjaya the wanderer). Historically, Sanjaya Paribajjaka is considered to be same as Sanjaya Belatthiputta by many scholars. These two future arahants ultimately left Sanjaya's tutelage as it did not address their unresolved desire to end ultimate suffering.<ref>Hecker (1994).</ref> Sanjaya Paribajjaka also had a follower named Suppiya, and so was Tattvalabdha, a minister at the court of King [[Ajatashatru]]. | ||
==Thought== | ==Thought== | ||
Hecker (1994) contextualizes Sanjaya's thought as "a kind of [[dialectic]]al [[existentialism]]" in juxtaposition to the popular [[materialism|materialist]] views of the day (for instance, typified by the ascetic teacher [[Ajita Kesakambali|Ajita Kesakambalī]].)<ref>Hecker (1994). Particularly regarding {{IAST|Sañjaya Belaṭṭhaputta}}, see [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel263.html#ch2 Chapter 2, "The Years of Wandering and Spiritual Search."]</ref> | Hecker (1994) contextualizes Sanjaya's thought as "a kind of [[dialectic]]al [[existentialism]]" in juxtaposition to the popular [[materialism|materialist]] views of the day (for instance, typified by the ascetic teacher [[Ajita Kesakambali|Ajita Kesakambalī]].)<ref>Hecker (1994). Particularly regarding {{IAST|Sañjaya Belaṭṭhaputta}}, see [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel263.html#ch2 Chapter 2, "The Years of Wandering and Spiritual Search."]</ref> Chakravarty (2021) expounds that Sanjaya navigated clashes of ideas and disputes by steadfastly withholding judgments, especially concerning metaphysical and ethical debates. He crafted a methodical five-fold response, as a means to abstain from adopting positions on any philosophical viewpoint. Chakravarty terms Sanjaya's systematic approach in [[Sanskrit]] as ''amarakathananilambana''. <ref>Chakravarty (2021).</ref> | ||
In the [[Samannaphala Sutta]] ([[Digha Nikaya|DN]] 2), Sanjaya is recorded as saying: | |||
:'If you ask me if there exists another world [after death], if I thought that there exists another world, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not. If you asked me if there isn't another world... both is and isn't... neither is nor isn't... if there are beings who transmigrate... if there aren't... both are and aren't... neither are nor aren't... if the [[Tathagata]] exists after death... doesn't... both... neither exists nor exists after death, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not.'<ref>Thanissaro (1997).</ref> | :'If you ask me if there exists another world [after death], if I thought that there exists another world, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not. If you asked me if there isn't another world... both is and isn't... neither is nor isn't... if there are beings who transmigrate... if there aren't... both are and aren't... neither are nor aren't... if the [[Tathagata]] exists after death... doesn't... both... neither exists nor exists after death, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not.'<ref>Thanissaro (1997).</ref> | ||
===Commentary=== | ===Commentary=== | ||
In the [[Pali literature]], Sanjaya's teachings have been characterized as "evasive"<ref>Thanissaro (1997)</ref> or [[agnosticism|"agnostic"]].<ref name="Bhaskar 1972">Bhaskar (1972).</ref> In the [[Brahmajala Sutta (Theravada)|Brahmajala Sutta]] (DN 1), Sanjaya's views are deemed to be ''amaravikkhepavada'', "endless equivocation" or "a theory of eel- | In the [[Pali literature]], Sanjaya's teachings have been characterized as "evasive"<ref>Thanissaro (1997)</ref> or [[agnosticism|"agnostic"]].<ref name="Bhaskar 1972">Bhaskar (1972).</ref> In the [[Brahmajala Sutta (Theravada)|Brahmajala Sutta]] (DN 1), Sanjaya's views are deemed to be ''amaravikkhepavada'', "endless equivocation" or "a theory of [[eel wriggler|eel-wriggler]]s."<ref>Cited in Bhaskar (1972).</ref> | ||
In [[Jain]]a literature, Sanjaya is identified as a Jaina sage (Skt., ''muni''). It is believed that he was influenced by Jaina doctrine although Jaina philosophers were critical of Sanjaya.<ref name="Bhaskar 1972"/> | In [[Jain]]a literature, Sanjaya is identified as a Jaina sage (Skt., ''muni''). It is believed that he was influenced by Jaina doctrine although Jaina philosophers were critical of Sanjaya.<ref name="Bhaskar 1972"/> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* Bhaskar, [[Bhagchandra Jain]] (1972). ''Jainism in Buddhist Literature''. Alok Prakashan: Nagpur. Available on-line at http://jainfriends.tripod.com/books/jiblcontents.html. | * Bhaskar, [[Bhagchandra Jain]] (1972). ''Jainism in Buddhist Literature''. Alok Prakashan: Nagpur. Available on-line at http://jainfriends.tripod.com/books/jiblcontents.html. | ||
* Chakravarty, Anish (2021). Sañjaya’s Ajñānavāda and Mahāvīra’s Anekāntavāda: From Agnosticism to Pluralism in K.M. Pathak (ed.) ''Quietism, Agnosticism and Mysticism: Mapping the Philosophical Discourse of the East and the West''. Singapore: Springer Nature. {{ISBN|978-981-16-3222-8}}. | |||
* Hecker, Hellmuth (1994). ''Maha-Moggallana'' (BPS Wheel 263). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel263.html. | * Hecker, Hellmuth (1994). ''Maha-Moggallana'' (BPS Wheel 263). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel263.html. | ||
* Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) and [[Bhikkhu Bodhi|Bodhi, Bhikkhu]] (ed.) (2001). ''The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-072-X}}. | * Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) and [[Bhikkhu Bodhi|Bodhi, Bhikkhu]] (ed.) (2001). ''The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-072-X}}. | ||
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* Walshe, Maurice O'Connell (trans.) (1995). ''The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya''. Somerville: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-103-3}}. | * Walshe, Maurice O'Connell (trans.) (1995). ''The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya''. Somerville: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-103-3}}. | ||
{{Philosophical skepticism}} | |||
{{authority control}} | {{authority control}} | ||
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[[Category:Year of death unknown]] | [[Category:Year of death unknown]] | ||
[[Category:6th-century BC Indian philosophers]] | [[Category:6th-century BC Indian philosophers]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:6th-century BC Indian monks]] | ||
[[Category:Indian agnostics]] | [[Category:Indian agnostics]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Ancient Skeptic philosophers]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Indian spiritual teachers]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:People from Magadha]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:44, 4 November 2025
Sanjaya Belatthiputta | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Religion | Ajñana |
| Flourished | 6th century BCE |
Template:Infobox six heretical teachers Sañjaya Belatthiputra (Pali: Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta; Sanskrit: Sañjaya Vairatiputra; literally, "Sañjaya of the Belattha clan"), was an Indian ascetic philosopher who lived around the 7th-6th century BC in the region of Magadha. He was contemporaneous with Mahavira, Makkhali Gosala, Ajita Kesakambali and the Buddha, and was a proponent of the ajñana school of thought.[1]
Teacher[edit | edit source]
Sanjaya is thought to be the first teacher of the future Buddha's future two great disciples, Maha-Moggallana and Sariputta. Both of them were followers of a person named Sanjaya Paribajjaka (Sanjaya the wanderer). Historically, Sanjaya Paribajjaka is considered to be same as Sanjaya Belatthiputta by many scholars. These two future arahants ultimately left Sanjaya's tutelage as it did not address their unresolved desire to end ultimate suffering.[2] Sanjaya Paribajjaka also had a follower named Suppiya, and so was Tattvalabdha, a minister at the court of King Ajatashatru.
Thought[edit | edit source]
Hecker (1994) contextualizes Sanjaya's thought as "a kind of dialectical existentialism" in juxtaposition to the popular materialist views of the day (for instance, typified by the ascetic teacher Ajita Kesakambalī.)[3] Chakravarty (2021) expounds that Sanjaya navigated clashes of ideas and disputes by steadfastly withholding judgments, especially concerning metaphysical and ethical debates. He crafted a methodical five-fold response, as a means to abstain from adopting positions on any philosophical viewpoint. Chakravarty terms Sanjaya's systematic approach in Sanskrit as amarakathananilambana. [4]
In the Samannaphala Sutta (DN 2), Sanjaya is recorded as saying:
- 'If you ask me if there exists another world [after death], if I thought that there exists another world, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not. If you asked me if there isn't another world... both is and isn't... neither is nor isn't... if there are beings who transmigrate... if there aren't... both are and aren't... neither are nor aren't... if the Tathagata exists after death... doesn't... both... neither exists nor exists after death, would I declare that to you? I don't think so. I don't think in that way. I don't think otherwise. I don't think not. I don't think not not.'[5]
Commentary[edit | edit source]
In the Pali literature, Sanjaya's teachings have been characterized as "evasive"[6] or "agnostic".[7] In the Brahmajala Sutta (DN 1), Sanjaya's views are deemed to be amaravikkhepavada, "endless equivocation" or "a theory of eel-wrigglers."[8]
In Jaina literature, Sanjaya is identified as a Jaina sage (Skt., muni). It is believed that he was influenced by Jaina doctrine although Jaina philosophers were critical of Sanjaya.[7]
Notes[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Bhaskar, Bhagchandra Jain (1972). Jainism in Buddhist Literature. Alok Prakashan: Nagpur. Available on-line at http://jainfriends.tripod.com/books/jiblcontents.html.
- Chakravarty, Anish (2021). Sañjaya’s Ajñānavāda and Mahāvīra’s Anekāntavāda: From Agnosticism to Pluralism in K.M. Pathak (ed.) Quietism, Agnosticism and Mysticism: Mapping the Philosophical Discourse of the East and the West. Singapore: Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-16-3222-8.
- Hecker, Hellmuth (1994). Maha-Moggallana (BPS Wheel 263). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel263.html.
- Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) and Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (2001). The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-072-X.
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1997). Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life (DN 2). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html.
- Walshe, Maurice O'Connell (trans.) (1995). The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya. Somerville: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-103-3.