Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 86

Chapter 4
THEIR SACRED BOOKS AND OTHER WRITINGS
Jains are very prolific authors. Since ancient times they have written and continue to write books on religious, philosophical, literary, historical, artistic, scientific and various other matters. In India, they have played a great part in the development of knowledge in all domains. Their works are written in "Prakrit” (ancient dialects), in “Sanskrit", in various regional Indian languages: "Hindi", "Gujarati”, “Kannada”, “Tamil”, “Marathi”, etc. and, more recently, in English. We do not intend to mention in detail all these innumerable works. We will limit ourselves to religious texts quite a large group in its own domain. Some of these, very ancient, are lost today, either having been mislaid or burned during wars and invasions in India, or stolen by religious opponents,
Until recently, Jains were reluctant to show their precious manuscripts, for fear they may be damaged or stolen. Research workers, Western scholars and learned people had very late and partial access to this useful information. Many texts are yet kept secret and have never been translated. They would be very valuable for researches, in particular for a better knowledge of Jain history and principles.
We will speak essentially of the canonical scriptures (Siddhānta) and of the pro-canonical ones of the two Jain sections (each having its own) and of the subsidiary Jain religious literature, such as general treatises and well-known commentaries. Some of them have been translated into English, now. We will also briefly mention very numerous other works written by eminent Jain authors.
We must remember that several branches of Jainism reject strongly the worship of statues, the building of luxurious temples and some forms of rituals. They devote themselves entirely to read, study and meditate on sacred books, so these works have a greater importance for them.