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

Page 531

A BRIEF SURVEY OF JAIN LITERATURE... 513 According to his commentator it was the intention of Vattakera to give in his work a brief summary of Acaranga for his pupils. Karttikeya Svamin (of an early age) wrote Karttikeyanupreksa treating in twelve chapters of the twelve Anupreksas (meditations), to which both the layman and the monk must devote themselves in order to get rid of Karma. These are reflections on the transitoriness of all things, the helplessness of all beings and other topics. In Chapter 12 the author sets forth the duties of laymen and monks. The work enjoys a great reputation among the Jains. Siddhasena Divakara, like Umasvati, is claimed by both Svetambaras and Digambaras as one of their own. He is said to have written 32 Dvatrimsikas (sets of 32 verses each), 21 of which are available. Logic was combined with metaphysics and religion in the ancient writing of the Jains as in those of other religions in India. He is the first Jain writer on Pure Logic; the work is called Nyayavatara. He is the famous author of Sanmati or Sammatitarkasutra, which is a Prakrit work on Philosophy mainly dealing with the various nayas, Anekantavada and the problem of the difference and sameness of jnana and darsana and the principles of logic. Samantabhadra's work is entitled Aptamimamsa in which the doctrine of Syadyada is explained. His Ratnakarandasravakacara is a manual of conduct for the householder, in 150 Sanskrit verses. Next to him, Akalanka wrote his commentary "Tattvartharajavarttika' on Tattvarthadhigamasutra and Astasati a commentary on Aptamimamsa. He is also the author of works on logic, Nyayaviniscaya, Laghiyastraya and Svarupasambodhana. Akalanka ably refuted the great Buddhist logician Dharmakirti and his pupils Dharmottara and Prajnakara and firmly established the Jain view of the two pramanas : pratyaksa and paroksa. Vidyananda wrote his commentary Astasahasri on Astasati and Tattvarthailokavarttika on Umasvati's work. Pramanapariksa and Aptapariksa are his independent works. Manikyanandin wrote his Pariksamukha, a work on logic and Prabhacandra wrote his famous work on logic, Prameyakamalamartanda, a commentary on Pariksamukha. Among the Svetambaras, besides Umasvati, mention must be made of the celebrated Haribhadra who wrote many works on general philosophy and the Jain doctrine. In his Saddarsanasamuccaya he treats of the six philosophical systems of Buddhism, Nyaya, Samkhya, Vaisesika, Jaimini and Carvaka and devotes only one short section to Jain metaphysics. In Lokatattvanirnaya he undertakes investigation of the True Nature of the World. He wrote a commentary on Dignaga's Nyayapravesa. His two works-Yogabindu and Yogadrstisamuccaya--contain an exposition of the Jain doctrine of Yoga. The Stud.-65