Nandanvana

SR No.: 006597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 168

Chapter - 11
STUDIES ON BIOLOGY IN TATTVĀRTHASUTRA (Formulae on Reals)
Introduction
One does not know when the animistic Jaina System became dualistic or pluralistic. However, Tattvārtha-sūtra (T.S.)' is the first Sanskrta Jaina text propounding Jinistic pluralism of seven spiritual reals and six physical realities. Its author has been a subject of scholarly dispute with respect to his name (Āryadeva, Gțddhapiccha Umāsvāti, Umāsvāmī), lineage, location and ideology. Overlooking the earlier tradition of modesty towards the omniscients, in not giving encomium in texts disregarding historical perspective and basing arguments on sufficiently late epigraphic (11" century onwards), literary (4“ century onwards), lineage and contental evidences, many scholars have started not only calling the Digambara tradition as southern tradition (only) despite the fact that Mahāvīra and other victors propagated it throughout north and south of India but also that almost all their current canon - like texts are post fifth century C. E. This trend should be scholastically reversed with proper studies and publications for conceptual globalisation of this church. However, it is pleasing to note that Tattvartha-sūtra is an exceptional text which is recognized as a pre-schism text covering a period of second to fourth century C. E. and containing the formulae of freedom or release from worldly woes leading to ultimate happiness. Its scholarly popularity can be judged from the number of its commentaries in many languages from fifth century onwards to date.
The text contains 10 chapters with 357 (or 344) aphorisms covering details about the basic concepts on reals and realities. The living being is the first real (and reality also) related/associated with all others. Though reality- wise, it numerically forms about 15% only,