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Jainism in a Global Perspective
1. Āgama Literature
Lord Mahāvira's preaching was methodically compiled by his immediate disciples known as Gandharas, and elder monks known as Śruta-kevalisinto many texts known as Sūtras. These Sūtras are collectively known as Agamas or Āgama Sūtras, the sacred books of the Jaina religion. Hence, the Jaina religion does not have one sacred book like the Bible or Koran, but it has many books compiled by several Gandharas and Sruta-kevalīsduring 150 years after Lord Mahāvira's nirvāṇa(death).
Āgama literature is also divided into two groups : A. Anga-āgamas or Anga-pravişta-āgamas B. Anga-bāhya-āgamas (outside of Anga-agamas)
Anga-āgamas or Anga-pravişta-āgamas :
Lord Mahāvīra's immediate disciples were known as Ganadharas. All Ganadharas possessed perfect knowledge kevala-jñāna and attained liberation at the end of their human life. They orally compiled the direct preacing of Loard Mahāvira into twelve main texts (sütras). These texts are known as Anga-āgamas. Hence the Anga-āgamas are the oldest religious scriptures and the backbone of Jaina literature.
Number of Ang-āgamas Lost
Number of Anga-agamas Survived
Present Status of Anga-agamas : Jaina sects
Total Anga-ăgamas
Recognized Digambara Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjaka | 12 Śvetāmbara Sthānakavāsi | 12 Śvetāmbara Terāpanthi
12
12
The twelfth Anga-āgama iscalled Drstivāda. The Drștivādaconsists of fourteen Pūrva texts, also known as Pūrvas or Pūrva-āgamas. Among Anga-āgamas, Pūrvas were the oldest sacred texts. All Jaina sects believe that knowledge of the Pūrvas (Dşștivāda) was gradually lost starting about one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahāvīr's nirvāņa (death).
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