Question

What was the Ajivika stance on moral responsibility and the concept of adharma (sin)?

• A. They believed moral actions and sins directly influence rebirth and spiritual progress.
• B. They rejected the idea of moral responsibility, asserting that human beings have no control over their destiny.
• C. They advocated for strict adherence to dharma to escape the cycle of rebirth.
• D. They considered sin to be the primary cause of suffering and advocated penance.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. They rejected the idea of moral responsibility, asserting that human beings have no control over their destiny.

The Ajivika school, under the leadership of Makkhali Gosala, rejected the concept of individual moral responsibility and the idea of adharma (sin). Central to their belief was the doctrine of Niyati, which held that everything is preordained by fate, leaving no space for personal agency, karma, or free will. As such, they did not see human effort as a factor in shaping destiny or spiritual outcomes.