Sacred Literature Of Jains

This document is the English translation of Albrecht Weber's seminal work, "Sacred Literature of the Jains," originally published in German as "Über die heiligan Schriften der Jainas." The English translation, edited by Ganesh Chandra Lalwani and Professor Satya Ranjan Banerjee, was published by Jain Bhawan in July 1999.

The book is a comprehensive and critical account of the Jaina Āgamas, the sacred texts of Jainism. It delves into the historical and social context of these texts, examining their composition, authorship, and evolution over time. Weber's work is recognized as a pioneering effort in the systematic study of Jain literature, providing an unparalleled analysis of the Āgama texts, especially considering the limited availability of printed Jaina Āgama texts at the time of its original writing.

The preface highlights the significance of Weber's contribution, noting that it served as the foundation for later scholars like E. Windisch, A. Guérinot, and Helmuth von Glasenapp. It traces the history of Jain studies in Europe, starting from the early 19th century with figures like Sir William Jones and Henry Thomas Colebrooke, who introduced Prakrit language and literature to the European scholarly world. Rev. J. Stevenson's translation of the Kalpasūtra and Weber's own fragments of the Bhagavatīsūtra are mentioned as crucial milestones. The publication history of Weber's work, including its translation into English by H. W. Smyth in the Indian Antiquary, is detailed. The reprint of this work by Jain Bhawan in 1999 was motivated by the unavailability of the Indian Antiquary series and aimed to make Weber's foundational research accessible to Jaina scholars.

The book itself is structured to provide a detailed overview of the Jaina Āgamas, meticulously categorizing and analyzing each text. The "Contents" section (Pages 7-59) reveals the extensive scope of Weber's research, covering:

• Introduction to Āgama Texts: Discussing the origins of Jaina sacred literature, the concept of the first Jina Rishabha, the existence and loss of the Angas and Pūrvas, and historical references to figures like Chanakya, Bindusara, and Ashoka.
• The Eleven or Twelve Angas: A detailed examination of each of the eleven (or twelve, including the lost Dṛṣṭivāda) Angas, such as Ācārānga-sūtra, Sūtrakṛtānga-sūtra, Sthānānga-sūtra, Samavāyānga-sūtra, and Bhagavatī Vyākhyāprajñapti.
• The Twelve Upāngas: Analysis of texts like Aupapātikadáśā-sūtra, Rājapraśniya, and Jivābhigama-sūtra.
• The Ten Prakīrņas (Paiṇņas): Discussion of texts like Catuhśaraṇa and Āturapratyākhyāna.
• The Six Cheda-sūtras: Examination of important texts like Niśitha, Mahā-nisītha, Vyavahāra, and Brhatkalpa.
• The Two Individual Texts: Analysis of Nandi-sūtra and Anuyogadvāra-sūtra.
• The Four Mūla-sūtras: Detailed discussion of Uttarādhyayana-sūtra, Āvasyaka-sūtra, Daśavaikālika-sūtra, and Pākṣika-sūtra.

Throughout the analysis of each text, Weber engages in critical assessment, historical dating, linguistic examination, and comparison with other religious traditions, particularly Buddhism. He pays close attention to the textual transmission, noting variations in manuscripts, the influence of Prakrit dialects, and the potential interpolations and modifications that occurred over centuries. The book also highlights the scholarly efforts to reconstruct and understand the Jaina canonical literature, acknowledging the contributions of scholars like Georg Bühler, Hermann Jacobi, Moriz Winternitz, and Hiralal Rasiklal Kapadia.

Key themes explored include:

• The Canonical Structure: The evolution of the Jaina canon, from the initial eleven Angas and the lost twelfth Anga (Dṛṣṭivāda) to the later development of Upāngas, Prakīrņas, Cheda-sūtras, Mūla-sūtras, and individual texts.
• Historical Development and Loss of Texts: Weber meticulously traces the tradition of the loss of certain texts (like the Dṛṣṭivāda and Pūrvas) and the councils (like Pataliputra) that attempted to collect and preserve the scriptures.
• Authorship and Dating: Weber critically evaluates the claims of authorship for various texts, often assigning them to later periods based on linguistic analysis and references to historical figures and events.
• Linguistic and Metrical Analysis: The work delves into the Prakrit language of the texts, noting its variations and evolution, and also examines the metrical structures employed.
• Theological and Philosophical Content: While primarily focused on the literature, Weber's analysis often touches upon the doctrinal and philosophical content, particularly in relation to debates and the historical development of Jain thought.
• Intertextual Relationships: The book frequently draws connections between different Āgama texts and also references connections with Brahmanical and Buddhist literature, offering insights into the cross-cultural influences of ancient India.
• Textual Criticism and Reconstruction: A significant portion of the work involves painstaking efforts to reconstruct the original texts from existing manuscripts, identifying corruptions and interpolations, and attempting to ascertain the historical layers within the Āgamas.

In essence, "Sacred Literature of the Jains" is a monumental scholarly undertaking that provides a foundational and indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex and vast canon of Jaina sacred literature. Weber's critical approach, detailed analysis, and extensive citation of sources set a high standard for the study of religious texts. The 1999 reprint makes this crucial scholarly work accessible to a new generation of researchers and students of Jainism.