Ājīvika was an oldreligion andphilosophy in ancientIndia. It existed around the same time asBuddhism andJainism. The followers were calledĀjīvikas.[1]
Ājīvikas believed that everything in life happens because ofniyati, which meansfate ordestiny. They thought that people cannot change their future by doing good or bad actions. Everything is already decided.
Because of this belief, they did not think thatkarma orfree will could change what happens. Life, death, and rebirth all follow a fixed path.
Many Ājīvikas lived asmonks. They gave up money and comfort, lived simply, and meditated. Some stories say that they wore no clothes, like the earlyDigambara Jains.
The founder of the Ājīvika order wasMakkhali Gosala (also calledGosala Maskariputra). He lived around the 5th century BCE and was said to be a friend and later rival ofMahavira, the founder ofJainism. The Ājīvikas were once powerful and were supported by some kings, includingBindusara, the father ofAshoka.
