Jain Agam Literature

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Agam Literature" by Pravin K. Shah, focusing on the content of the pages provided:

This document, published by the JAINA Education Committee, provides an overview of Jain Agam Literature, its historical context, classification, and the differing views of major Jain sects, particularly the Svetambara and Digambara traditions, regarding its preservation and authenticity.

Background and Historical Context:

• Origin: Jain Agam literature, also known as canonical literature or Agam Sutras, originated from the oral preachings of Lord Mahavir, compiled by his disciples (Gandharas and Srut-kevalis). These texts emphasize reverence for all life, vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war.
• Oral Tradition: For centuries, these sutras were transmitted orally from teachers to disciples. Commentaries were also compiled by learned monks. Due to the ascetic ideal of non-possession, scriptures were rarely documented or widely distributed by ascetics.
• Loss and Dilution: A significant famine around 350 BC, coupled with the difficulty of memorizing the vast body of literature, led to the loss and forgetting of a substantial portion of the Agam Sutras. The twelfth Ang-agam, Drashtivada (containing fourteen Purvas), was particularly affected. Later modifications and errors also entered the remaining texts.
• Sectarian Differences:
  • Digambara Sect: Believes that after the famine, the entire Jain canonical literature became extinct.
  • Svetambara Sect: Believes that only the fourteen Purvas were forgotten, while the rest of the Agam Sutras were remembered by their ascetics and documented.
• Svetambara Conferences: Svetambara ascetics held three conferences for preserving canonical, commentary, and non-canonical literature, with documentation occurring during the second (Mathura, ~380 AD) and third (Valabhi, ~520 AD) conferences.
• Svetambara Sub-sects: Around 1400-1600 AD, the Svetambara sect further divided into Svetambara Murtipujak, Sthanakavasi, and Terapanthi, with differences in their acceptance and interpretation of Jain scriptures.

Classification of Jain Literature:

Jain literature is broadly divided into two categories:

1. Agam or Canonical Literature (Agam Sutras): The sacred books of Jainism, written primarily in Ardha-magadhi Prakrit.
2. Non-agam Literature: Commentaries, explanations, and independent works compiled by ascetics and scholars in various languages.

Agam Literature (Agam Sutras):

The Agam literature is further divided into:

• Ang-agams or Ang-pravista-agams: The twelve main texts compiled by Lord Mahavir's immediate disciples (Ganadharas). These are considered the oldest and the backbone of Jain literature.
  • Present Status: All Jain sects acknowledge the existence of twelve Ang-agams, but there are differences in which ones are considered "survived" or "recognized."
  • Drashtivada: The twelfth Ang-agam, believed to contain fourteen Purvas, is considered lost by all Jain sects. However, its subject matter is referenced in other scriptures.
• Ang-bahya-agams (outside of Ang-agams): Texts written by Srut-kevalis (monks with knowledge of at least ten Purvas) that expand on the Ang-agams.
  • Digambara View: Believes all Ang-bahya-agams were also gradually lost.
  • Svetambara Classification of Ang-bahya-agams:
    • Upang-sutras or Upang-agams: Further explanation of Ang-agams.
    • Chhed-sutras or Chhed-agams: Pertain to the conduct and behavior of ascetics, including penance for sins.
    • Mool-sutras: Essential for ascetics in the early stages of monkhood.
    • Chulika-sutras: Enhance or decorate the meaning of Ang-agams.
    • Prakirna-sutras: Describe independent or miscellaneous subjects.

Digambara Jain Literature (in the absence of recognized Agam Sutras):

The Digambara sect, in the absence of recognized Agam Sutras, relies on texts written by great Acharyas from 100 to 1000 AD. These include:

• Main Texts:
  • Shatkhand-agam (or Maha-kammapayadi-pahuda) by Pushpadant and Bhutabali (based on the Agraya-niya Purva).
  • Kashay-pahud (or Kashay-prabhrut) by Gunadhara (based on the Jnan-pravad Purva).
• Commentaries:
  • Dhaval-tika (on Shatkhand-agam Vol 1-5) by Virsen.
  • Maha-dhaval-tika (on Shatkhand-agam Vol 6) by Virsen.
  • Jaya-dhaval-tika (on Kashay-pahud) by Virsen and Jinsen.
• Four Anuyogas (Streams of knowledge):
  • Pratham-anuyoga (Dharma-kath-anuyoga): Religious stories, art, literature, history, poetry. (e.g., Padma-puran, Harivamsa-puran, Adi-puran, Uttar-puran).
  • Charn-anuyoga: Principles of observances, conduct, behavior. (e.g., Mulachar, Trivarnachar, Ratna-karanda-shravak-achar).
  • Karan-anuyoga (Ganit-anuyog): Mathematical viewpoints, geography, astronomy, astrology. (e.g., Surya-prajnapti, Chandra-prajnapti, Gommat-sar).
  • Dravy-anuyog: Philosophical doctrine, theories, metaphysics. (e.g., Niyamasar, Panchastikaya, Pravachanasar, Samaya-sara, Tattvartha-sutra).

Detailed List of Agam Sutras (primarily from the Svetambara perspective):

The document then provides a detailed listing and brief description of various Ang-agams and Ang-bahya-agams, categorized as follows:

• Ang-agams (11 listed, Drastivada as lost): Acharang Sutra, Sutrakratang Sutra, Sthananga Sutra, Samavayanga Sutra, Vhakhya Prajnapti (Bhagavati Sutra), Jnata Dharma Kathanga Sutra, Upasaka Dashanga Sutra, Antah Kradashanga Sutra, Anuttaroupa Patika Dashanga Sutra, Prashna Vyakrana Sutra, Vipaka Sutra.
• Upang-agams (12 listed): Aupa Patika Sutra, Raja Prashniya Sutra, Jivabhigama Sutra, Prajnapana Sutra, Surya Prajnapti Sutra, Chandra Prajnapti Sutra, Jambudveepa Prajnapti Sutra, Nirayarvali Sutra, Kalpa Vatansika Sutra, Pushpika Sutra, Pushpa Chulika Sutra, Vrashnidasha Sutra.
• Chhed Sutra Aagams (6 listed): Nisheetha Sutra, Vrahat Kalpa Sutra, Vyavahara Sutra, Dasha Shruta Skandha Sutra, Panch Kalpa Sutra, Mahanisheetha Sutra.
• Mool-sutras (4 listed): Avashyaka Sutra, Dasha Vaikalika Sutra, Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Ogha Niryukti (Pinda Niryukti) Sutra.
• Chulika-sutras (2 listed): Nandi Sutra, Anuyogadvara Sutra.
• Prakirna-agams (10 listed, with a note that 13 listed in total, some not recognized by Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi): Chatuh Sharana, Aatur Pratyakhyana, Bhakti Parijna, Sanstaraka, Tandulavaitalika, Chandra-Vedhyaka, Devendra-Stava, Ganita Vidya, Mahapratyakhyana, Veerastava (considered lost).

Summary:

The document concludes by reiterating that Agam literature, compiled by Ganadharas and Srut-kevalis, forms the holy scriptures of Jainism. These texts embody core Jain principles. While Svetambara sects accept the existing Agam Sutras as authentic, the Digambara sect does not, instead following works by later Acharyas. Non-Agam literature encompasses commentaries and independent works. The text provides a detailed breakdown of the various categories and specific texts within the Agam tradition, highlighting the historical challenges in their preservation and the divergent interpretations among Jain sects.