Ājīvaka (& ˚ika) [ājīva + ka, orig. "one finding his living" (scil. in a peculiar way); cp. BSk. ājīvika Divy 393, 427] an ascetic, one of the numerous sects of non -- buddhist ascetics. On their austerities, practice & way of living see esp. DhA ii.55 sq. and on the whole question A. L. Basham, Hist. & Doctrines of the Ājīvikas, 1951. -- (a) ājīvaka: Vin i.291; ii.284; iv.74, 91; M i.31, 483: S i.217; A iii.276, 384; J i.81, 257, 390. -- (b) ājīvika: Vin i.8; Sn 381 (v. l. BB. ˚aka).

-- sāvaka a hearer or lay disciple of the ājīvaka ascetics Vin ii 130, 165; A i.217.