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

Page 64

42 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
There has been a disquisitional ( Aniyoga ) classification of the canons by Aryarakṣita (100 B, C.-100 A. D.) on the basis of the subject-matter of the canons. This could not be taken as important as almost all the primary canons have varied subjects and they could not be classed in one or the other disquisitions. This classification is only of historical importance. However, many books have been composed later which could be easily codified under this classification. This has not been mentioned by different scholars like Umāsvāti, Kundakunda, Pujyapāda and others though some post-Christian authors mention it.
Whatever be the classification, the primary and secondary texts under right Sruta will be the main source for our studies here. Descriptions of Canons
( a ) Pūrvas or Pre-canons - There is a difference of opinion about the word 'Pūrva' (earlier ) whether it represents the pre-primary literature of Mahāvira himself who delivered the Angas in simple language for the laymen or the Pārsvaic sermons. Schubring28 opines that the two types of literature existed parallely and independent of each other. The supposed origin of different canonical Anga texts from the Pūrvas should be taken merely as relationship in contents as exemplified below: 1. Satyapravāda Pūrva Dasavaikālika, 7 ( Vākyasuddhi ) 2. Ājñanuvāda Pūrva
3 ( Dharmaprajñapti ) 3. Karmapravāda Purva
5( Pindaişaņā ) 4. Pratyākhyānapravāda
(Other Sections ) Pūrva 5. Karmapravāda Pūrva Cheda-sūtra, Daśā, Kalpa, Vyavahāra Sec. 20
etc. 6. Agrāyani Pūrva (Part) Satkhandāgama 7. jñānapravāda Pūrva Kaşāyapāhuda ( 10th section )
Jaina scholars, however, presume the Pūrvas are the ancient existences dealing with philosophical and epistemo