Jaina Ethics

SR No.: 001334
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 314
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Principle
File Size: 15 MB

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Jaina Ethics
(i) The literature dealing with ethical aspect is called Caraṇakaraṇānuyoga. The Digambaras call it simply as Caraṇā
nuyoga.
(ii) The literature dealing with metaphysical problems is called dravyānuyoga.
(iii) The biographies of religious personalities are included in dharmakathānuyoga or prathamānuyoga.
(iv) The works dealing with mathematics are called ganitanuyoga. The Digambaras have karaṇānuyoga, as the fourth anuyoga. Karaṇānuyoga deals with the details of doctrine of karman.
It would be interesting to know that Caraṇānuyoga, which has a direct bearing on ethics is given the highest place and the other anuyogas are considered only subsidiary to it.1
The Anga literature
The Angas, composed in Ardhamagadhi language and twelve in number, are supposed to have been passed down from generation to generation by oral transmission till Bhadrabahu, who belonged to the 8th or 7th generation following Mahavira, and died 1703 or 1624 years after him (357 B C. or 365 B.C.) according to Svetambara and Digambara tradition, respectively.
Redaction of Agamas
Council of Pataliputra (4th Cent. B.C.):
The Curni on Avasyaka informs us that at the time of Bhadrabahu, there was a wide-spread famine, lasting for twelve years. This meant a disturbance in the study of Jaina scriptures. After the end of the said famine, the monks of Jaina Samgha assembled at Pățaliputra and recollected the first eleven Jaina Angas but could not recollect the twelfth
1.
चरणकरणानुयोगश्चाचारादिकः, स च प्रधानतमः शेषाणां तदर्थत्वात् । -Silänka on Acărängas ütra, Calcutta, Vik. Sam. 1936. p. 3. Vide infra, p. 229.
2.
3. Parisistaparva, Bhavanagar, Vik. Sam. 1968, 9.112. 4. Satkhandagama. Vol. I, Prastāvanā, p. 26.