Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

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512 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE philosophy, and on logic is indeed great. Here some of the more important and popular works only are briefly surveyed. The Jains play a significant part in the history of Indian philosophy with their doctrines of Anekantavada and, its corollaries, Syadvada and Nayavada which are found in germ in the canonical literature. The Tattvarthadhigamasutra, "The Manual for the Understanding of the True Nature of Things", of Umasvati, according to the Svetambaras, or Umasvamin, according to the Digambaras, treats of the dogmas, logic, psychology, cosmography, ontology and ethics of the Jains in a systematic sutrastyle in Sanskrit and serves to date as an excellent summary of Jain dogmatics. These topics are explained by him in his own Bhasya on it. The Svetambaras as well as the Digambaras claim the author as their own, a fact which indicates that he belongs to a period when the gulf between the two sects was not wide. The work has been commented upon by both Svetambaras and Digambaras. The large number of commentaries including those of eminent teachers like Siddhasena, Pujyapada Devanandin, Akalanka and Vidyananda bear testimony to the great popularity of the work. Kundakunda (2nd half of the 1st century BC according to tradition but latest researches of modern scholars place him later than Umasvati who is assigned to 3rd or 4th century A. D.) is credited with the authorship of many texts. If Umasvati was the first writer to compose his Tattvarthadhigamasutra in Sanskrit and in the sutra style, Kundakunda was the first writer to compose all his works in Prakrit in the argumentative style. To him goes the credit of supplying the Digambaras, the long-felt need for a Secondary or Substitute Canon. Three of his most important works viz. Pancastikaya, Pravacanasara and Samayasara are, on the analogy of the Prasthanatrayi of the Vedantins, known as Prabhrtatrayi or Nataka-trayi, "Trilogy of Treatises or Dramas". The first consists of two parts. The first one contains an exposition of the five 'astikaya's (Magnitudes) 1. Jiva (souls), 2. Pudgala (Matter), 3. and 4. Principles of Motion and Rest and 5. Akasa (Space). The second one treats of the path to salvation (moksa). Pravacanasara is a much prized book and contains an "Exposition of the truth as to Knowledge, as to the Knowable and hints on Conduct. Samayasara deals with the "Kernel or Essence of the Doctrine". This work is studied with devotion by Digambaras, Svetambaras and Sthanakavasins alike. Niyamasara is a work on the discipline to which the seeker after liberation must submit himself. It gives an exposition of and discussion on three jewels which necessarily form the path of liberation. Vattakera (of an early age) wrote his Prakrit works Mulacara (The Conduct of Jain monks) and Trivarnacara (The conduct of pious Jains).