Fatalism

Philosophical position attributed to the
Ajivika school. The Ajivikas believed
that all things were preordained by
an impersonal destiny (niyati), and
therefore that one’s conscious actions
had no effect on one’s future. Although
this position would seem to undercut
any reason for religious practice,
the Ajivikas were also noted for performing strict asceticism, in the belief
that they were only doing what had been
predetermined for them. For further
information see Arthur Llewellyn
Basham, History and Doctrines of the
Ajivikas, 1981.