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 36

History and Sources
far. He also tried to compose the differences between two readings, as far as it was possible. But important differences were accepted as they were, which are still referred by the cūrņis and tikās. Many short treatises? which were not so far assigned with canonical authority, got that position in this council.
The present Āgamas are believed to be the redaction of this council. If we accept the list given in the Nandysūtra as the arrangement of this council, it is clear that many works have been lost even after that. The extant works also do not possess the same size as it is given in the NandIsūtra. The Āgamas according to Digambara Tradition
According to the Digambara tradition Şatkhaņdāgama, Kaşāyaprābhịta and Mahābandha are the only works that are directly related with the words of Mahāv Tra. The other ägamas have been lost in the course of time. Dr. Hiralal4 gives the following account of the Satkhaņdāgama being reduced to writing :
“The teachings of Lord Mahāvīra were arranged into twelve angas by his pupil Indrabhūti Gautama, and they were handed down from preceptor to pupil by word of mouth till gradually they fell into oblivion. Only fractions of them were known to Dharasena who practised penances in the Candra Guha, of Girinagara in the country of Saurāstra (modern Kathiawara). He felt the necessity of preserving the knowledge and so he called two sages, who afterwards became famous as Puşpadanta and Bhūtabali, and taught to them portions of the fifth Anga Vivāhapannatti and the twelfth Arga Ditthivāda. These were subsequently reduced to writing in Sūtra form by the two eminent pupils. Puspadanta composed the first 177 sūtras and his colleague Bhūtabali wrote the rest, the total being 6000 sūtras".
1. Vira Nirvāņa, p. 112 2. Dhavalā Int. p. 71 3. Ibid., p. I 4. Ibid., p. II