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 85

5. Food & Nutrition Dietetics and food science. Science of Prāṇavāya, Ayurveda.
6. Medicine
7. Mathematics Worldly and super-worldly.
8. Cosmology
Geography.
9. Astronomy & Astrology.
Prākṛta Canons M. 63
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10. Engineering Science.
11. Humanities and Performing Arts Education and useful arts for men and women.
A good number of stray efforts have been made by many scholars of this age in analytical reporting of these contents. However, a concerted and evaluative effort is needed for an overall picture regarding these contents and their comparative contribution in the contemporary knowledge of different period of their compositions. This evaluation will lead us to judge the growth in knowledge in different areas at present with reference to canonical age. This study of scientific contents is actually desired to re-establish faith in canonical sermons in these days of traditional faith erosion on intellectual grounds. Digambara Prākṛta Pro-canonical Literature
It is agreed that Bhadrabahu-139 was the last all scriptureknowing scholar ( preceptor-period, 29 yrs., contemporary of Sthulibhadra) before the two sects of Jainas began making their pseudo-appearance culminating as distinct schisms in late first century A. D. known as Digambaras and Śvetāmbaras. The Digambara tradition of preceptors continued upto 683 years after Mahavira (683-527 = 156 A. D. )* with aphorismic wise sayings through Gautama - the first chief disciple, as the base (in contrast to Sudharma, the second chief disciple as the base in Śvetāmbara tradition). Shastri opined that the first stage of this tradition could be assumed to continue upto 5th century A. D. (i. e. 350 B. C. - 500 A. D.) by which the proximate and remote preceptors were communicating the Śruta orally in their own words. They also agreed about the oldest existence and Currently, the salvation of Mahavira is being dated at 468 B. C. thus,it is 683468 = 215 A. D.