Pearls of Jaina Wisdom

SR No.: 001668
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 368
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & Religion
File Size: 16 MB

Page 39

Jaina Agamic Literature
he agreed to impart only the text of the remaining four Pūrvas but not their import. Thus, Sthūlibhadra could memorise the entire texts but he could learn the meaning of only ten Pūrvas and not all the fourteen Pūrvas. This was the first attempt to compile the Āgamas and this conference was known as the Pāțaliputra rendering. However, the Agamic literature was still not written and the basis of safeguarding it was still by oral tradition. Preservation of Āgamas
The Jaina have always tried hard to preserve their sacred literature. However, there is no doubt that the Āgamas as told by Lord Mahāvīra and presented by the Ganadharas ( prime disciples ) are not found in their complete form today. As the language of the Agamas was Prākrta, which was the language of the masses, it was but natural for the change to occur even in the rendering of sacred literature. Unlike the Vedic Brahmins, the Jainas could not preserve every word of their sacred literature. But it is certain that the portions available today are authentic and close to the preachings of Lord Mahāvīra.
Thus till the time of Sthūlibhadra, the knowledge of the twelve Angas was intact but after his demise only eleven Angas and a part of the twelfth Anga remained available. Sthūlibhadra died 215 years after Lord Mahāvīra's nirvāņa.
As mentioned above, the Jaina literature was composed in Prāksta, which was the spoken language of that time and not constructed by the strict rules of grammar. The ability to memorise perfectly was also weakening. Hence, it was inevitable for linguistic changes to creep in the scriptures. The Second Convention
To add to the misfortune, another twelve year long famine hit the northern parts of India. In the absence of learning, revision and contemplation, the scriptures began to get lost. In course of time, the need was felt that another attempt should be made to systematize the scriptures. Between 827-840 years of Lord Mahāvīra's nirvāṇa,