Samaṇas

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Samaṇas. Hindu wandering philosophers of the Upaniṣadic period, who rejected Vedic tradition and family ties, and depended on alms for sustenance. Jain and Buddhist ascetics were in origin akin to samaṇas; Buddhist assessment of them occurs in Sāmañña-phala Sutta, part of Dīgha Nikāya.

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