Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Sabha Hirak Jayanti Granth

This document is a collection of scholarly articles presented at a seminar by the Sri Shvetambara Sthanakavasi Jaina Sabha, Calcutta, in celebration of its Diamond Jubilee. The volume, titled "Aspects of Jainology, Vol. V," was published in 1994 by Pujya Sohanlal Smaraka Parshvanath Shodhapitha in Varanasi. The seminar papers explore various facets of Jainology.

Here's a summary of the key contributions from the provided text:

Overall Theme:

The volume is a compilation of research papers presented at a seminar organized by the Sri Shvetambara Sthanakavasi Jaina Sabha, Calcutta, to commemorate its Diamond Jubilee. It showcases scholarly research in various fields of Jainology.

Key Sections and Their Contributions:

• "Aspects of Jainology, Vol. V" (Sri Shvetambara Sthanakavasi Jaina Sabha, Calcutta Diamond Jubilee Seminar Volume): This section indicates the origin and purpose of the publication – a collection of papers from a significant anniversary event.

• Publisher and Editors: Pujya Sohanlal Smaraka Parshvanath Shodhapitha, Varanasi, published the volume, edited by Prof. Sagarmal Jain and Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh. This highlights the collaboration between a prominent Jain institution and a research center.

• Financial Support: The publication was made possible with financial assistance from the Sri Shvetambara Sthanakavasi Jaina Sabha, Calcutta, further emphasizing the Sabha's commitment to promoting Jain scholarship.

• Preface ("Prakashakiya"): This section details the context of the publication, linking it to the Diamond Jubilee of the Sabha and the Golden Jubilee of the Parshvanath Shodhapitha. It highlights the Sabha's extensive charitable and educational activities, including:

  • Education: Running Jain schools with computer facilities.
  • Social Welfare: Providing resources for needy students (Jain Book Bank), establishing hospitals (including an advanced facility under construction), organizing free eye surgery and disability camps.
  • Women's Empowerment: Through centers for Jain craft education and women's development committees.
  • Community Support: Offering affordable, pure vegetarian meals at Jain canteens and establishing funds for the welfare of fellow Jains and all living beings.
  • Religious Observance: Enthusiastically celebrating Jain festivals and observances like Paryushana.
  • Philanthropy: Providing financial aid to educational and service organizations across India, including the Parshvanath Shodhapitha.

• Parshvanath Shodhapitha's Role: The preface also describes the Parshvanath Shodhapitha as a leading institution for Jain studies and research in India, located in Varanasi. It emphasizes the Shodhapitha's recognition by Banaras Hindu University, its role in fostering research in Jain religion, philosophy, literature, history, and culture. The Shodhapitha's history, its founders (Pandit Sukhlal Sanghvi and Lala Harjarasrai Jain), its academic approach, its achievements (over 50 PhDs awarded, 22 registered scholars), its diploma courses, its well-equipped library, and its ongoing process of becoming a Deemed University are all highlighted. The Shodhapitha's publication activities, including "Shraman" magazine and "Aspects of Jainology," are also mentioned.

• List of Contributors: The volume includes articles from various scholars, listed by name and affiliation, covering diverse areas of Jainology.

• Article "Ardhamaagdhi Agama Literature: A Discussion" by Prof. Sagarmal Jain: This is the most detailed article provided in the text. It delves into:

  • The Shramanic Tradition: Contrasting it with the Vedic tradition, emphasizing its focus on renunciation, detachment, and self-realization versus the Vedic emphasis on worldly life, rituals, and social order.
  • Ancient Indian Intellectual Currents: Tracing the continuity of the Shramanic tradition from the Indus Valley Civilization, through Vedic references to Vratyas and Vatarashana Munis, to the Upanishads. It argues that the Upanishads, despite being considered Vedic, fundamentally reflect Shramanic ideals and criticize Vedic rituals.
  • Influence of Lost Shramanic Traditions: The presence of teachings of various Shramanic sages (like Yagyavalkya, Narada, Kapila) in Upanishads, Pali Tripitaka, and Jain Agamas, suggesting the existence of lost Shramanic literature.
  • Vedic Literature vs. Jain Agamas: A detailed comparison focusing on:
    • Authorship and Authority: Vedic texts are considered Apaurusheya (unauthored) or Ishvara-krit (God-created), while Jain Agamas are Paurusheya (authored by Tirthankaras and Gandharas) but considered eternal in their essence (Artha).
    • Language and Evolution: The emphasis on the preservation of meaning (Artha) in Jain Agamas led to linguistic changes over time, whereas the Vedic tradition prioritized the preservation of word form.
    • Subject Matter: Vedic literature focuses on prayers for material prosperity and natural forces, while Jain Agamas focus on spiritual teachings, self-control, ethics, asceticism, and karma theory.
  • Classification of Ardhamaagdhi Agamas: A comprehensive breakdown of the 11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 6 Chhedasutras, 10 Prakirnakas, and 2 Choolikasutras, noting variations in acceptance among different Shvetambara sects (Sthanakavasi, Terapanthi, Murtipujaka) and their partial acceptance by Digambara and Yapaniya traditions.
  • Dating of Ardhamaagdhi Agamas: Discussing the challenges and methodologies for dating these texts, placing the earliest parts of Acharaanga and Rishibhashita before the Ashokan edicts (5th-4th century BCE), and the overall corpus extending to the 5th century CE. It highlights the evolution and accretion of material over centuries.
  • Vachanas (Recensions) of Agamas: Describing the five major recensions (Pataliputra, Valabhi, Mathura, Nagarjuniya) and their role in preserving, editing, and sometimes influencing the language and content of the Agamas, noting the Shauraseni influence on Mathura recension.
  • Concept of Scriptural Disruption (Vichchhed): Examining the different views on the loss or disruption of scriptures in both Shvetambara and Digambara traditions, noting that while the concept of loss exists, the actual extent and timing vary.
  • Subject Matter Simplicity: Contrasting the simpler, didactic style of Ardhamaagdhi Agamas with the more complex philosophical discussions found in later Shauraseni Jain texts.
  • Authorship: Highlighting the often unknown authorship of Ardhamaagdhi Agamas, attributed to ancient sages or Tirthankaras, compared to the identifiable authors of Shauraseni texts.
  • Impact of Preserving "Truth" through "Shraman" vs. "Vedic" Traditions: Prof. Jain concludes by urging scholars to study these texts impartially, acknowledging the evolution and potential interpolations, to understand the true development of Jainism and its scriptures.

• Other Articles (Titles and brief summaries based on titles):

  • "Jain Agam and Agamic Interpretive Literature: A Study" by Dr. Sudarshanalal Jain: Likely discusses the canonical Jain texts and the extensive commentaries, interpretations, and critical works that have elucidated them.
  • "Niyukti Literature: An Introduction" by Dr. Shrikrishna Pandey: Focuses on the "Niyukti" literature, which are early metrical commentaries on Jain Agamas, explaining their purpose, method (Niskhepa), and prominent authors.
  • "Moral Rules Described in Mulachar: In the Perspective of Shvetambara Agama Literature" by Dr. Arunpratap Singh: Compares the ethical codes in the Digambara text Mulachar with the Shvetambara Agamas, likely highlighting similarities and differences, particularly concerning ascetic practices and the classification of literature.
  • "Importance and Value of Hindi (Maru-Gurjar) Jain Literature" by Dr. Shitikanth Mishra: Explores the significance of Jain literature written in a transitional language between Apabhramsa and modern Indo-Aryan languages, emphasizing its linguistic value and its role in understanding the evolution of Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati.
  • "History and Value of Hindi Jain Journalism" by Dr. Sanjeev Bhanavat: Chronicles the development of Jain periodicals in Hindi, tracing their origins, key publications, and their role in social reform, religious propagation, and national awakening.
  • "Evaluation of Concepts of Anekanta, Ahimsa, and Aparigraha: In the Context of Modern World Problems" by Dr. Vasisthanarayan Sinha: Examines the relevance and applicability of core Jain philosophical principles like non-absolutism (Anekanta), non-violence (Ahimsa), and non-possession (Aparigraha) to contemporary global challenges.
  • "Contribution of Jainism to Indian History" by Dr. A.K. Chatterjee: Discusses the broad impact of Jainism on various aspects of Indian civilization, including religion, culture, society, economics, and politics, citing historical figures, texts, and epigraphic evidence.
  • "The Development of Karma Theory in Ancient Jain Texts" by Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh: Analyzes the evolution of the complex Jain theory of Karma, tracing its conceptual development through various ancient Jain scriptures like Acharaanga, Sutrakritanga, Rishibhashita, Uttaradhyayana, Sthananga, and Samavayang.
  • "General Introduction to the Gachhas of the Shvetambara Tradition" by Shivaprasad: Provides an overview of the various monastic orders (Gachhas) that emerged within the Shvetambara tradition, explaining their origins, key figures, and historical development.

In essence, the "Shwetambar Sthanakavasi Jain Sabha Hirak Jayanti Granth" is a significant academic compilation that documents the diverse and rich contributions of Jainology to Indian history, philosophy, literature, and social reform, presented through the research of contemporary scholars.