Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 33

Epistemology of Jainas
derable changes. Yet, they cannot be discarded in whole-sale as without any authenticity. They cannot be assigned to an author of the latter period, as a whole. Though disfigured, they contain a lot of genuineness. Even in their present form they preserve the ancient lore and tradition to a great amount. We can safely hold that the present canonical literature has the nearest approach to the words of Tirtharkaras and Ganadharas. They are the only means to understand the founders of the system in their original words.
Three Councils (Vacanās)
It is said that the followers of the Buddba held three councils (sangitis) for arranging the sermons of Lord Buddha. Similarly, the followers of Mahāvīra also held three councils (vācanās) in order to arrange their canonical literature.
1. The Council of Pāt ali putra-One hundred? and sixty years after the death of Mahāvīra, Northern India was engulfed in a long famine, lasting for twelve years. The Jaina sādhus left Magadha and scattered themselves over the region, where alrns were easily available. The study of canonical literature, which was being carried through oral tradition, met with a serious set back. When the famine was over the learned monks assembled at Pataliputra and restored eleven angas; but none could recite the fourteen Pūrvas completely. The only Srutakevalin at that time was Bhadrabābu, who had gone to Nepal for practising yoga. The sangha sent Sthūlabhadra and some other monks to study the Pūrvas. Out of them only Sthūlabhadra was able to learn ten Pūrvas with explanation and the remaining four in mere reading. At the same time he was forbidden by his preceptor not to impart further the knowledge of those four Pūrvas. Sthūlabhadra died 215 years after the death of Mahavira.
1. Āv. Cūrņi II 187 2. Vira Nirvāṇa p. 94 3. Ibid. p. 62