Jaina Literature
🧠 Oral to Written: A Journey of Memory and Preservation
- In the early period, Jain teachings were not written down.
- Why? Because monks followed Aparigraha (non-possession) strictly — even scriptures were considered material possession.
- But over time, due to memory lapses and doctrinal inconsistencies, councils were convened to compile Jain knowledge.
📜 First Jaina Council – Pataliputra, ~300 BCE
- Presided by Sthalabhadra
- Took place after the famine
- Aim: Compile what remained of Jain teachings
- 12 Angas were documented, replacing the lost 14 Purvas
- But the Digambaras rejected this compilation, stating the true Agamas were lost.
📜 Second Jaina Council – Vallabhi, 512 CE
- Presided by Devarddhi Kshamashramana
- Took place in Gujarat
- Objective: Finalize and recompile the canonical texts
- Result: 12 Angas and 12 Upangas were officially codified
- Accepted by Svetambaras, rejected by Digambaras
📚 Svetambara Canonical Literature – Agamas
- Agamas: Literally means tradition or what has come down.
- Based on oral teachings of Mahavira, recorded by his disciples called Ganadharas.
- Written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
🧩 Agamas are divided into:
1. Anga Agamas (Core texts)
- 12 texts: Called Dwadashangi
- Include works like:
- Acharanga Sutra – on monastic conduct
- Sutrakritanga – against false beliefs
- Bhagavati Sutra – dialogue-based teachings
- Drishtivada – the 12th Anga, included the 14 Purvas
🚨 Drishtivada and the Purvas are now lost.
2. Anga-bahya Agamas (Subsidiary texts)
Includes:
| Category | Content |
| 12 Upangas | Explanations or extensions of Angas |
| 10 Parikarnas | Miscellaneous or supplementary texts |
| 6 Chedasutras | Rules for monks and nuns |
| 4 Mulasutras | Basic texts for novice ascetics |
| 2 Sutra Granthas | Nandi Sutra, Anuyogadvara |
🧘♂️ Digambara Position on Literature
- Digambaras do not accept the Agamas compiled by Svetambaras.
- They believe all original texts — including 14 Purvas and 11 Angas — were completely lost ~200 years after Mahavira’s death.
🏆 What do Digambaras accept instead?
- Two Core Texts:
- Satkhandagama (Scripture of Six Parts) – by Pushpadanta & Bhutabali
- Kasayapahuda (Kasayaprabhrta) – by Acharya Gunadhara
- Four Anuyogas – Thematic Expositions:
| Anuyoga | Focus |
| Prathamanuyoga | Religious stories (like Kathas) |
| Charananuyoga | Conduct and ethical life |
| Karananuyoga | Cosmology, mathematics |
| Dravyanuyoga | Philosophy and metaphysics |
🌟 Other Important Jain Texts
| Text | Author / Significance |
| Pravachanasara | By Acharya Kundakunda; essence of Jain doctrine |
| Brihat Katha | By Harisen, court poet of Samudragupta |
| Jain Puranas | Hagiographies of Tirthankaras |
| Mahapurana | By Jinasena and Gunabhadra |
| Adi Purana | By Jinasena, praises Rishabhanatha |
| Uttarapurana | By Gunabhadra, written in Apabhramsa |
🧠 Summary Table: Jaina Councils
| Council | Year | Place | President | Output |
| First | ~300 BCE | Pataliputra | Sthalabhadra | Compilation of 12 Angas, Purvas lost |
| Second | 512 CE | Vallabhi (Gujarat) | Devarddhi Kshamashramana | Final codification of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas |