Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
The foundation of agnosticism is ignorance. There are two streams of thought in Ajñānavāda. Some of the agnostics doubt the existence of the soul and they argue that what is the purpose in knowing the soul even if it exists. There are some others who uphold that knowledge is the root cause of all problems and miseries. Hence, it is better to remain ignorant.
Agnostics state that, 'there are several philosophies and even more philosophers. Each of them claim that they are the authority of truth, though their statements are mutually contradictory. Truth can never be so. Had those philosophers actually realized the truth, there would have been no such contradictions amongst their statements. Since conflicts and contradictions are found among the philosophies, they must not be true. Thus, ignorance is best.[1] Moreover, what is the benefit in knowing? It is better to put efforts in the refining of actions. Conduct is the essence of knowledge. By the practice of good conduct and penances, heaven and liberation is attained. Thus, ignorance is better than knowledge.
In the ancient times, there were different branches of agnosticism. Agnosticism or skepticism of Sanjayavelaṭṭhiputra has also been included in this branch. The cūrṇīkara of Sūtrakṛtaṅga Sūtra has mentioned seven methods of expressing the agnosticism and there is also a mention of four methods.[2] It is said in the cūrṇī of Sūtrakṛtaṅga that Sanyāsis (ascetics) who are living in jungles and similar to other animals, eating flowers and fruits available in the wild and leading their lives without renounciation, are called agnostics.[3] Sākalya, Vaṣkala, Kuthumi, Sātyamugri, Nārāyaṇa etc. were the heads (preceptors) of agnosticism.[4]
