This article investigates the rules that were put into the mouth of the Buddha by Indian Buddhist jurists in order to differentiate monks from non-Buddhist (particularly Jaina and Ājīvika) ascetics as observed in extant Vinaya literature. It demonstrates that the Buddhist jurists were fully aware of Jaina and Ājīvika modes of asceticism, and that they consciously used legislation as a tool to construct Buddhist identity, particularly through legally differentiating the physical appearance, customs, practices, and even social status of monks from those of their śramaṇic rivals. The Buddha’s prescription of a rule to make monks distinguishable from non-Buddhist ascetics often occurs as an immediate response to the laity’s criticism or misunderstanding. This arrangement indicates that the monastic jurists were concerned not only with differentiating Buddhist and non-Buddhist renunciants, but also with protecting the public image of the Buddhist monastic institution and ultimately with maintaining the laity’s trust and support.

This article examines Buddhist and Jaina attitudes towards the salvation of the Magadhan king Ajātaśatru (alias Kūṇika), a narrative character found in both Buddhist and Jaina traditions. A number of Buddhist texts prophesy that Ajātaśatru, despite his next birth in hell, will attain liberation in his final birth. Jaina sources also speak of Kūṇika's descent into hell, but give no prophecy of his ultimate liberation. While the Buddhists offered various solutions to Ajātaśatru's sinful condition, the Jainas proposed no remedy to mitigate the consequences of Kūṇika's sins. The Buddhist prophecies of Ajātaśatru's eventual liberation indicate that some Buddhists in ancient India were particularly concerned with the salvation of an archetypal villain such as Ajātaśatru. The Jaina silence on Kūṇika's destiny suggests that the Jainas in general had little interest in bringing this violent figure to liberation, and deemed him incapable of overcoming his “false view of reality” (mithyātva) due to his strong passions.