Ardhmagadhi Agam Sahitya Evam Acharang Sutra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ardhmagadhi Agam Sahitya Evam Acharang Sutra" by Dr. Prem Suman Jain, covering the key points presented in the text:

The book focuses on the Ardhmagadhi Agam literature and specifically the Acharanga Sutra, highlighting its significance within Jain tradition.

Core Tenets and Origin of Agam Literature:

Mahavir's Teachings in Ardhmagadhi: According to Jain tradition, Lord Mahavir's divine discourse was delivered in Ardhmagadhi Prakrit, a natural and easily understandable language accessible to all listeners. This divine speech (Divyadhvani) was comprehensive and capable of resolving the queries of all beings.
Gautam Ganadhar's Role: Lord Mahavir's chief Ganadhar, Indrabhuti Gautam, absorbed this discourse comprehensively and compiled it for the benefit of beings, allowing them to savor its essence.
Connection to Mahavir's Tradition: All extant Jain literature is linked to the lineage of Lord Mahavir's teachings. Gautam Indrabhuti, the chief Ganadhar, compiled Mahavir's teachings into the Twelve Angas and Fourteen Purvas.

The Fourfold Classification of Jain Teachings (Anuyogas):

The teachings of the Jinendra Bhagwan are categorized into four Anuyogas based on their subject matter:

Prathamanuyoga (or Kathanuyoga):
- This is the initial discourse, meant for those new to the Agamas, much like teaching basic literacy to a child through stories and pictures.
- It imparts knowledge of the Agamas, spirituality, and Jain principles through narratives.
- Swami Samantabhadra defines it as providing accurate knowledge encompassing the four Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha).
- It includes the biographies of the 63 Shalakapurushas (illustrious individuals), the narratives of virtuous deeds, the essence of the Three Jewels (Ratnatraya), and the four Aradhanas (practices leading to liberation).
- Prathamanuyoga also offers insights into various arts, sciences, warfare, weaponry, and the intricacies of human life, including daily routines, entertainment, and living standards. Studying its texts like Puranas, biographies, dramas, and story collections can lead to both worldly and spiritual happiness.
Karananuyoga (or Ganitanuyoga):
- This Anuyoga specifically describes the results (Parinama) of the soul.
- It is also known as Ganitanuyoga because it uses mathematical principles to explain its subject matter.
- Karananuyoga accurately portrays the division of the universe into Lok and Alok, the transformations of the Utsarpini and Avasarpini periods (cosmic cycles), and the four realms of existence (Chaturgati).
Dravyanuyoga:
- This Anuyoga elucidates the fundamental elements of existence, both sentient (Jiva) and non-sentient (Ajiva).
- It illuminates concepts like Punya (merit), Papa (demerit), Bandha (bondage), Moksha (liberation), and both external (Dravya-Shrut) and internal (Bhava-Shrut) knowledge.
- Dravyanuyoga serves as a crucial criterion for understanding the true nature of reality, ensuring a clear and unobstructed path towards liberation.
Charananuyoga:
- This Anuyoga thoroughly discusses the duties of householders (Grihastha Dharma) and ascetics (Muni Dharma).
- Acharya Samantabhadra defines it as detailing the origin, growth, and protection of the conduct of householders and renunciates.
- Charitra (conduct) is of two types: mistaken (Mithya) and right (Samyak). Right conduct arises from true faith and knowledge of reality.

The Status of Ardhmagadhi Agamas:

Agamas as Divine Word: For Jains, Agamas are the divine word (Jinavani) and the foundation of their religion, philosophy, and spiritual practice.
Digambara View: The Digambara sect, while acknowledging the existence of Ardhmagadhi Agamas, does not consider them authoritative due to perceived interpolations contrary to their beliefs.
Author's Stance: The author, however, maintains that despite potential interpolations or modifications, the extant Ardhmagadhi Agamas are authentic documents containing valuable historical facts. Their complete rejection would mean negating their own authenticity.
Significance of Ardhmagadhi Agamas: A key characteristic of these Shvetambara-accepted Ardhmagadhi Agamas is their ability to chronicle the rise and fall of the Jain Sangha over approximately a thousand years, from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE.

Classification of Ardhmagadhi Agamas:

The text details the traditional classification of these scriptures:

Eleven Anga Granthas: Lists the 11 accepted Angas, including Acharanga, Sutrakritanga, Sthana, Samavaya, Vyakhya Prajnapti (Bhagavati), Jnata Dharma Katha, Upasaka Dashaa, Antakrida Dashaa, Anuttaraupapatika Dashaa, Prashna Vyakarana, Vipaka Shruta, and the now-lost Drishtivada.
Twelve Upanga Granthas: Lists the 12 Upangas, such as Oupapatika, Rajapraseniya, Jivajivabhigama, Prajnapana, Surya Prajnapti, Jambu Dwipa Prajnapti, Chandra Prajnapti, and various Niryavalika texts.
Reception by Sects: Shvetambara traditions generally accept these Angas and Upangas. Digambaras acknowledge the names of the 11 Angas but believe they are lost. They do not accept the Upangas, though some texts with similar names exist within their tradition as part of Drishtivada's 'Parikarma'.
Four Mul Sutra Granthas: Commonly recognized are Uttaradhyayana, Dashavaikalika, Avashyaka, and Pindaniryukti. However, there's disagreement on their exact number and names among Shvetambara sects. Sthanakavasi and Terapanthi traditions consider Nandi and Anuyogadvara as Mul Sutras instead of Avashyaka and Pindaniryukti. Some Shvetambara Murti-pujakas also include Oghaniryukti.
Six Cheda Sutra Granthas: Includes Dashashrutaskandha, Kalpa, Vyavahara, Nishitha, Mahanishitha, and Jiyakalpa. Mahanishitha and Jiyakalpa are not accepted by Terapanthi and Sthanakavasi sects, who recognize only four Cheda Sutras.
Ten Prakirnaka Granthas: Lists ten Prakirnaka texts like Chatusarana, Atura Pratyakhyana, Bhakta Parigya, Samstaraka, etc. Sthanakavasi and Terapanthi sects do not accept these, though some of their content is found in other texts like Mulachara and Bhagavati Aradhana.
Two Chulika Sutra Granthas: Nandi Sutra and Anuyogadvara are considered Chulika Sutras.

Total Agamas: Shvetambara Murti-pujakas accept 45 Agamas (11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 4 Mul Sutras, 6 Cheda Sutras, 10 Prakirnakas, 2 Chulika Sutras). Sthanakavasi and Terapanthi sects accept 32, excluding 10 Prakirnakas and certain Cheda Sutras.

Ancient Style of Agam Classification:

The earlier classification, found in Nandi Sutra and Pakshika Sutra (5th century CE), divided Agamas into Angapravishta (the 12 Angas) and Angabahya (all others, also called Prakirnaka).
Digambara tradition has the Angaprajnapti text, which describes the subject matter of the 12 Angapravishta and 14 Angabahya texts mentioned in the Dhavala commentary.

Antiquity and Dating:

Ardhmagadhi Agam literature is the oldest among the Prakrit literature.
The first Shrutaskandha of Acharanga and Rishi Bhashita are even older than Ashokan inscriptions, dating back to the 5th-4th century BCE.
The Acharanga's sutra-like, Upanishadic style suggests proximity to the Upanishads and the direct word of Lord Mahavir. Its biographical details are free from supernatural elements, implying they were recorded by someone who witnessed Mahavir's life closely.
Later mentions of Mahavir's life in Sutrakritanga, Acharanga Chula, and Kalpa Sutra exhibit more supernatural and exaggerated elements, indicating they are later compositions.
No Single Author or Era: The Ardhmagadhi Agam literature is not the work of a single person or from a single period. While finalized at the Vallabhi council in 980 Veer Nirvana Samvat (5th century CE), this does not mean all Agamas are from that century.
Diversity of Content: The variation in subject matter, language, and style indicates an effort to preserve the original essence during compilation and editing. While some interpolations exist, they are few and identifiable.
Influence of Maharashtri Prakrit: The presence of Maharashtri Prakrit influence should not lead to doubting their antiquity. Instead, efforts should be made to preserve ancient forms of texts using various manuscripts and commentaries.
Time Span: The material preserved in Ardhmagadhi Agamas spans from the 5th-4th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Determining the exact period of specific texts requires careful consideration of cultural content, philosophical clarity, and linguistic style.

Drishtivada (The Twelfth Anga):

This Anga is now lost but is understood to have compiled various philosophical viewpoints and doctrines of Mahavir's predecessors and contemporaries.
It was divided into five parts: Parikarma, Sutra, Prathamanuyoga (stories), Purvagata, and Chulika. The Purvagata section likely contained the philosophical ideas of the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanath.
Both Shvetambara and Digambara traditions agree on its loss. However, they believe that many later texts were composed based on its Purvagata section.
While Drishtivada is lost in its original form, some of its parts are preserved in accepted texts of both traditions. For example, Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Dashashrutaskandha, Brihatkalpa, Vyavahara, Nishitha, and texts on Karma philosophy (Jiva Samasa, Karma Prakriti, Panchasangraha) in the Shvetambara tradition are believed to be based on the Purvas. Similarly, Kashayapahuda and Shatkhandagama in the Digambara tradition are considered to be derived from the Purvas.

Commentary Literature (Tika Sahitya):

Post-Agamic literature, comprising Niryukti (Nijjuti), Bhashya (Bhas), Churni ( Chunni), and Tika, aims to explain the Agamas.
Niryukti: The oldest, written in Prakrit verses, providing brief explanations and hints of various stories.
Bhashya: Also in Prakrit verses, brief, and often blended with Niryuktis.
Churni: Written in prose, with a mixture of Prakrit and Sanskrit, though Prakrit is dominant.
Tika: Written extensively in Sanskrit, offering detailed explanations. Prakrit is used for stories, often quoting existing Prakrit narratives.

Introduction to Key Agamas:

The text then provides a brief overview of some of the major Agamas:

Acharanga (Ayaranga): Describes the conduct of ascetics. The first Shrutaskandha is older and more significant. It details Mahavir's austerities and the hardships he endured. The second Shrutaskandha covers mendicancy, food purity, bedding, monastic movement, Chaturmasa, speech, clothing, utensils, waste disposal, and vows.
Sutrakritanga (Suyagada): Divided into two Shrutaskandhas, it discusses various non-Jain philosophical views (e.g., Kriyavada, Akriyavada, Niyativada) and refutes concepts like the oneness of soul and body, and God's authorship and determinism.
Sthananga (Thananga): Comprises ten studies and over a thousand sutras. It enumerates Jain principles according to numbers, e.g., classifying ideal persons into three types: Dharma-purusha, Bhoga-purusha, and Karma-purusha.
Samavaya (Samavayanga): Contains 275 sutras, similar to Sthananga in enumerating and classifying objects. It provides a brief introduction to the division and subject matter of the twelve Angas and describes heavenly and hellish realms.
Bhagavati (Viyaha-pannatti): Also known as Bhagavati, it is the largest Shruta, with 867 sutras. Its style is in question-and-answer format, with Gautama Ganadhar asking questions and Lord Mahavir responding.
Jnata Dharma Katha (Naya Dhamma Kahaao): Divided into two Shrutaskandhas, it establishes principles of penance, renunciation, and self-control through various narratives.
Upasaka Adhyayana (Uvasagadasao): Details the experiences of ten householders who faced obstacles and temptations in their religious practice.
Antakrida Dashaa (Antagadadasao): Presents narratives of great souls who attained Nirvana through severe penance and are thus called Antakritas.
Anuttaraupapattika Dashaa (Anuttarauvayayadasao): Describes the lives of individuals who, through their spiritual practices, were reborn in the highest heavens (Anuttara heavens) from where liberation is attained with just one more human birth.
Prashna Vyakarana (Panha-vagaran): Divided into two parts, it describes the five sources of influx (Asrava - violence, falsehood, theft, unchastity, possessiveness) and the five restraints (Samvara - non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, non-possessiveness).
Vipaka Sutra (Viyagasuyam): Contains two Shrutaskandhas, one on sorrowful karmic results (Duhkha Vipaka) and another on happy karmic results (Sukha Vipaka). It also describes medicinal treatments for various diseases and offers insights into ancient social customs, beliefs, and superstitions.
Drishtivada (Ditthavada): As mentioned, this is lost. Its four main divisions were Parikarma, Sutra, Purvagata, and Chulika (as per Samavaya). Purvagata was the most extensive and important. The Anuyoga division included Prathamanuyoga (biographies of Arhats) and Gandikanuyoga (biographies of other great figures like Kulakaras, Chakravartis, etc.), making it akin to an ancient Jain Puranic text.

In essence, the book provides a foundational understanding of Ardhmagadhi Agam literature, its structure, its importance within Jainism, and the historical context and significance of key texts like the Acharanga Sutra. It emphasizes the continuous tradition of Jain teachings and the value of these ancient scriptures.