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XVI : GACCHĀCĀRA PRAKĪRNAKA
At present the canonical literature is classified into Ariga (Primary), Upanga (Secondary) Müla (Basic) Cheda (Disciplinary), Āvaśyaka (Essential) and Prakirnaka (Miscellaneous) canonical works. This classification was, first of all, found in Vidhimārgaprapā of Jinaprabha (Circa 13th century), wherein we also find the very first mention of the Gacchācāra Prakīrnaka. There, the Prakīrnakas such as Devendrastava, Tandulavaicārika, Maranasamādhi, Mahapratyākhyāna, Samistāraka, Candravedhyaka, Bhaktaparijñā, Catuhšarana, Vīrastava, Ganividyā, Dvipasāgaraprajnapti, Sarigrahanī and, lastly, the Gacchācāra have been mentioned." Here, it is noteworthy that in the Vidhimārgaprapā the Dvīpasāgaraprajñapti and Sangrahanī have been mentioned as separate Prakirnakas whereas, generally, the mention of the Dvipasāgaraprajñapti is found as Dvīpasāgaraprajñapti Sangrahani verses (Dīvasāgarapannatti-Sarigahani-Gāhão). In our view, this seems to have happened due to an over-sight by the editor. Actually, Dvīpasāgaraprajñapti and Sargrahani are not two different Prakirnakas but one only.
The procedure for the study of canonical texts, as laid down in the Vidhimārgaprapā mentions the study of the Gacchācāra Prakirnaka before studying the Mahāniśītha. The mention of Gacchācāra in the Vidhimārgaprapā proves that this work - (Gacchācāra) had been recognised as a Prakirnaka by the 14"
Vidhimārgapı apā, p. 55. Devandatthayam-tandulaveyāliya-Maranasamāhi-Mahāpaccakkhā na-Āurapaccakkhāna-Santhārayam-Candāvijjhaya-CausaranaVīratthava-Ganivijjā-Dīvasāgarapannatti-Sangahanī–Gacchāyāram iccāi painnagāni ikkikkeņa nivvieņa vaccanti
- Vidhimārgaprapā, Ed. Jinavijaya, pp. 57–58. Vidhimārgaprapā, Ibid, p. 58.
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