Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

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38: Scientific Contents in Prākṛta Canons
themselves. That is why Samavao mentions them in chapter 14. Thus, Devendra Muni suggests the first classification of Jaina canons in terms of Angas and Purvas 24. Acārya Tulsi also supports it. Not only this, the knower of the Purvas had the most respectable position.
However, when Mahāvira established and systematised his church, the Pūrvas were included in his twelve Anga system as part of the twelfth Anga and thus, Angas became the chief canons of Jainas and Pūrvas were submerged.
There were many treatises authored by direct, remote or other disciples or elderly scholars (Sthaviras) and followers of Mahavira whose contents were based on canons, hence consistent and authentic. They were also treated as canon-like. But they could not be added to the Argas as their number was fixed. Hence a separate category of pro-canonical texts was thought of. And Sthānānga, thus, has a second two-fold classification in terms of: (i) Angas or basic or primary texts and (ii) Ananga, Argabāhya, pro-canons or secondary texts. This has been followed by scholars and ācāryas of all the Jaina sects. They have suggested that even the Anuyogadvāra of first century A. D. does not have this classification. It is only in Nandi (5th century) that this dual classification with its contents is observed25. It could, therefore, be surmised that the current accepted classification might have been evolved during 100400 A. D.
There is one more classification different from the above in Mulacăra and Satkhaṇḍāgama2 the noted Digambara texts. They have three types: (i) Worldly, (ii) Vedic and (iii) Spiritual or Sāmāyika. Though there is some difference in their elaboration, but they include current subjects of humanities and science, Vedas and Indian philosophies and the twelve Anga system of Jainas. Sthānānga gives these three categories in terms of professions. The basis of this classification is not clear, but it represents a liberal attitude of the Jainas towards the credibility of non-Jaina, non-spiritual literature of that period.
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