Question

Which of the following statements best describes the Ajnana School of Philosophy?

• A. Founded by Sanjaya Belatthiputta, the Ajnana school promoted metaphysical speculation as essential to spiritual liberation.
• B. The Ajnana school, documented in both Jain and Buddhist texts, held that metaphysical knowledge is impossible and irrelevant to achieving liberation.
• C. The Ajnana school emphasized rigorous metaphysical inquiry as the path to moksha, as reflected in the Brahmajala Sutta and Suyagadamga Sutra.
• D. Sanjaya Belatthiputta’s Ajnana school advocated for absolute certainty in philosophical claims as a route to nirvana.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The Ajnana school, documented in both Jain and Buddhist texts, held that metaphysical knowledge is impossible and irrelevant to achieving liberation.

The Ajnana school, founded by Sanjaya Belatthiputta, embraced radical skepticism, rejecting definitive views on metaphysical questions. They argued that such knowledge is both unattainable and unhelpful for spiritual progress. Their perspective is recorded in texts like the Brahmajala Sutta, Samannaphala Sutta (Theravāda Buddhist Canon), and Suyagadamga Sutra (Jain tradition).