Jain scriptures

Jain scriptures comprise a vast collection of sacred texts that preserve the teachings and principles of Jainism. Jain writings, divided into two main categories, include the Agamas, believed to be the direct teachings of Lord Mahavira, and the Angas, containing the writings of his disciples. These texts cover various aspects of Jain philosophy, ethical principles, and guidelines for leading a righteous life. Jain texts delve into the doctrines of non-violence, truth, non-attachment, and the path to spiritual liberation. They provide deep insight into meditation, cosmology, karma, and the nature of reality and guide followers to spiritual enlightenment and ethical conduct. The scriptures serve as the primary source for Jain philosophy and form the basis for the spiritual and ethical practices followed by Jain communities around the world.

Jain scriptures

Introduction

Jainism is a religion that flourished in India in the 6th century, founded by Mahavira. It preached the path to attaining purity of spirit and enlightenment through discipline and ahimsa (non-violence). Vardhamana, who became known as Mahavira after attaining true knowledge, was born in Bihar and was related to members of the prominent Magadha dynasty. At the age of twenty, he renounced worldly life and left home to seek the truth. Living his life as an esthetician and practicing deep penance and meditation, Mahavira attained Kevala Jnana, or true knowledge. His followers came to be known as Jains. Jain scriptures and texts, also known as Agamas, contain legendary accounts of Mahavira’s life and teachings. After Mahavira’s death, due to disagreement with Mahavira’s doctrines, the Jain community split into two sects: the Svetambara Jainism and the Digambara Jainism.

Sacred Books of Jainism

The sacred books of Jainism are collectively known as the Agamas or Agam Sutras. It consists of the teachings of Lord Mahavir, methodically compiled by his disciples. Jain texts emphasize Lord Mahavira’s instructions to his students and serve as sacred literature that is important to the practice of the tradition. The teachings of Jainism are not contained in a single book but rather in a series of works that have been transcribed and transmitted in many formats and languages. Jains revere scriptures not only for their content but also as sacred artifacts.

Jain Literature, Jain Canon or Jain Writings

The earliest writings of Jain literature date back to the 11th century. It is believed that during ancient times, the sacred teachings of Jainism were transmitted through oral traditions. The original, unadulterated teachings of the Tirthankara of Jainism, now lost, are said to have been contained in the 14 ancient Purva texts. Jain councils were held to systematize and preserve the sacred oral teachings. The first council was held at Pataliputra in present-day Patna, followed by second councils held simultaneously at Mathura and Vallabhi. The last council was held in Vallabhi (Gujarat) without the participation of the Digambaras. At the first council, the Jain monks gathered to pool their sacred knowledge and compile the 11 Angas but failed to assemble the last, Ditthivada, the 12th Anga, due to the absence of Bhadrabahu, who had knowledge of the fourteen Purvas. His refusal to participate resulted in the loss of Purva’s knowledge. The final council held at Vallabhi led to the codification of the Svetambara canon, which is still preached.

Svetambara Canon

The Svetambara Canon contains 45 works: 12 Angas; 12 Upangas; 10 Prakīrṇakas; 6 Cheda-sutras; 2 Cūlikā-sutras; and 4 Mūla-sutras. These literary works contain the names of the Tirthankars, their life stories, and their teachings. The canons were originally written in the Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit dialect and compiled as manuscripts under the guidance of Acharya Shraman Devardhigani. From the Gupta age on, Jain scholars began to write in Sanskrit to reach a larger audience.

(1) Angas

The twelve angas are:

(a) Ayaramga

Describes monastic conduct and the life of an ascetic. It also sheds light on Mahavira’s penance.

(b) Suyagada

Describes the approach of non-violence, heretical doctrines, and wrong beliefs. It includes a description of hell and the destruction of karma.

(c) Sthananga

Covers various topics like Jain metaphysics, mathematics, and other branches of Jain knowledge.

(d) Samavayamga

Contains knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.

(e) Viyaha-pannatti or Bhagavati

It contains 3600 questions answered by Mahavira on various topics, which ranged from monastic conduct to cosmology.

(f) Naya-dhamma-kahao

Contains stories of knowledge and righteousness.

(g) Wasaga-dasao

Contains stories that portray the devotion of the lay participants and their courage in the face of demonic attacks.

(h) Anuttarovavaiya-dasao

It contains stories of individuals who have succeeded in attaining salvation, breaking the cycle of karma, and putting an end to reincarnations.

(i) Anuttaraupapatikadasah

It depicts the stories of those who have accumulated good karma and have been successful in attaining the highest heavens.

(j) Panha-vagrant

Contains information about the five sins, namely, killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct and greed, and the bad karma associated with them.

(k) Vivaga-suya

It is a compilation of 20 stories—10 stories of people experiencing the consequences of bad karma and 10 stories of people experiencing the result of good karma.

(l) Dristivada

This ‘Anga’ is believed to have disappeared by the time the second council was organized in 512 AD.

(2) Other texts

There are 12 Upangs, which are supplementary to the 12 original Angas. Each panga corresponds to one anga and provides a detailed explanation of the manga. The 12 Upangs are: Uvavaiya-sutta; Raya-pasenaijja; Jivajivabhigama; Pannavana; Suriya-pannatti; Jambudvipa-pannatti; Kanada-pannatti; Nirayavaliya; Kappavadamsiao; Puppiao; Puppha-culiao; and Vanhi-dasao. These are written in Ardha-Magadhi; like the Angas, the Ten Prakirnakas describe independent or different subjects such as medical knowledge, astronomy, fasting unto death, monastic knowledge, and life and prophecy. Unlike the Angs and Upangs, they are written in the Jain Maharashtrian dialect of the Prakrit language

The six Cheda-sūtras are literary texts related to the conduct of monks and nuns. The Formula-Sutras are foundational texts that teach the basics of Jain doctrine and act as a guide in the early stages of monasticism. They are also written in the Ardha-Magadhi dialect. The two Cūlikā-sutras provide the methodological and epistemological context for the entire canon.

Digambara Canon

The Digambara sects of Jainism do not recognize the entire Svetambara canon. They believe that the original scriptures, the Purvas, are lost, and only their essence has been preserved in Jain texts written over the centuries by Jain scholars. The Digambara canon is written in Jaina Sauuraseni Prakrit and contains two main texts, the Satkhanda Gama and the Kasaya-Prabha. In addition, three commentaries on the main texts and four Anuyogas consisting of more than 20 texts are reference works recognized by the Digambara sect. Anuyogas contained knowledge and teachings from various fields.

Niryuktis

Bhadrabahu was a Jain scholar who could recite all the fourteen Purvas, or sacred texts, of Jainism. He was called Sutra Kevali because of his ability to recite all the sutras. The Niryuktis were written in Prakrit Bhadrabahu. Contains commentaries on 10 of the 12 original scriptures. They contain mantras to be recited during daily Jain rituals, specifically related to penance. It also contains information about the Jinas, the source of all learning.

Jain Literature

Jain literature is divided into two main categories: agrarian literature and non-agrarian literature.

(1) Agamic literature

consist of original scriptures compiled by Gandharas and Strut-kevalis. They are written in the Prakrit language. Agamic literature is also divided into two groups:

(a) Ang-agama or Ang-pravista-agames

These texts contain the direct preaching of Lord Mahavira. They were compiled by Ganadharas.

(b) Ang-bahya-agamas (outside the Ang-agamas)

These texts are expansions of the Ang-agamas. They were compiled by Strut-Chehalis.

(2) Non-Agamic Literature

It comprises commentaries and explanations of Agamic literature and independent works, compiled by senior monks, nuns, and scholars. They are written in many languages ​​like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Old Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, German and English.

Agamic Literature

The preaching of Lord Mahavir was methodically compiled into many texts by his followers. These texts are collectively known as the Agamas, the sacred books of the Jain religion. So the Jain religion does not have one holy book like the Bible or the Koran but has many books compiled by many followers.

Ang-games

The immediate disciples of Lord Mahavir were known as Ganadharas. All Ganadharas had perfect knowledge (keval gyan). They orally compiled the direct preaching of Lord Mahavira into twelve main texts (sutras). These texts are known as Ang-games. The Ang-agamas are thus the oldest religious writings and the backbone of Jain literature.

Ang-bahya-agams

Monks who knew at least ten Purvas were known as Strut-kevlis. Strut-Kelis wrote many texts (sutras) expanding on the subject matter defined in the Ang games. Collectively, these texts are called Ang-Bahay-games, meaning outside the Ang-games. Different Jain sects accept different numbers of Ang-Bahaya texts. However, the Digambar sect believes that they were also gradually lost, starting about two hundred years after Lord Mahavir’s Nirvana.

Influence of Jain literature

The majority of Jain literature was written in Prakrit. Mahavira preached in a mixed dialect called Ardha-Magadhi to make it easier for people to understand his teachings. Mahavira’s teachings were composed in Ardha-Magadhi and later compiled into 12 books called Angas. Jainism also influenced the literature of the South. The influence of Jainism can be traced to early Kannada literature.

Loss of scriptures

Unfortunately, many of Mahavira’s original teachings have been lost. Some texts were lost over time; others were poorly remembered. The Jains were concerned about the corruption of the original scriptures. Then, in 350 BC, a famine killed many Jain monks, along with the memory of numerous Jain books. The Digambara sect thinks that all the Agamas were destroyed during the famine, but the Svetamabara group claims that most of these scriptures were saved. This is one of the most significant contrasts between the two groups of Jains, and it means that the two groups of Jains have completely different positions in the Jain scriptures.

Both groups believe that Purvasa’s writings were lost during the famine. After the famine, the monks and nuns of the Svetambara sect held several conferences to preserve the most important Jain writings. Since Jain monks and nuns are now authorized to hold sacred literature, Jain scriptures should be safe.

Conclusion

Jain writings and texts, also known as Agamas, contain legendary accounts of the Tirthankaras’ lives and teachings. During ancient times, the sacred teachings or doctrine of Jainism were transmitted through oral traditions. The original, unadulterated teachings of the Tirthankaras, now lost, are said to have been contained in 14 ancient or Purva texts. The Svetambara canon contains 45 works: 12 Angas; 12 Upangas; 10 Prakirnaks; 6 Cheda-sutras; 2 Culika-sutras; and the 4 Mula-sutras. The Digambara canon is written in Jaina Sauuraseni Prakrit and contains two main texts, namely Satkhanda Gama and Kasaya Prabhrta, along with three commentaries on the main texts and four Anuyogas. Niryuktis, written by Bhadrabahu, contains commentaries on 10 of the 12 original scriptures.

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