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Collecttively these expositions of the two Jaina schools constitute one of the greatest collections of non-vedic Indian scriptures.
THE CONTENTS OF THE AGAMAS
The contents of some of the major Āgamas are as
follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
दर्शन दिग्दर्शन
Ācāranga: The most ancient and important Anga,
this forms the low books of Jaina monks and nuns. It is accorded great reverence because its exposition of law forms the very foundation of mendicant conduct. It explains five Samitis (vigilance) and three Guptis (restraints). It also contains a very authoritative account of Lord Mahavira's spiritual practices.
Sūtrakṛtänga: Contains details of Jaina philosophical knowledge, humility, reverence, the acceptable and unacceptable objects, monastic initiation, ordination and critical examination of other philosophical schools of that period.
Sthänänga: It is a kind of encyclopedia, it considers numerical description of scriptural topics. It gives details of subjects ranging from one to ten.
Samaväyänga: It is a continuation of the third. It preserves some records of twelve Angas and discusses the totality of every entity with respect to its substance, space, time and modes.
Bhagavati: It is the most voluminous work of the entire Agamic literature. It contains countless question of Indrabhūti Gautama and answers by Lord Mahavira. It is also of great historical importance as it contains debates held by several scholars and lay
Jain Education International 2010_03
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