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Preface
Each of these has further sub-divisions. For instance, metaphysics is divided into two broad heads viz. (i) ontology and (ii) epistemology.
These clear-cut divisions and sub-divisions are a European product. Their full growth is marked out by the separate and standard treatises representing the divisions noted above. This growth can be traced practically from the days of Bacon. Its origin, however, goes as far back as the days of Aristotle as can be seen from his distinct works on ethics and natural philosophy'
Such being the case, it is no wonder, if no Indian school of thought has given rise to works where we can distinctly see these divisions as water-tight compartments, The Jaina philosophical literature is in no way an exception to this. Even then I hereby make an attempt to c fy the philosophical works according to the division it mostly represents. For I have not so far come across any pamphlet or article, much less a book which separately ( no matter even if succinctly ) gives an idea about one and all the branches of
Jaina philosophy? by taking into account the contributions of even one of the sects of the Jainas. To begin with, I would here confine myself mainly with the Svetambara literature on philosophy.
The Jaina writers divide their literature into four groups according as it is related to one or the other anuyoga out of the following four:
Dravyānuyoga, caranakaraṇānuyoga, dharmakathanuyoga and gailanuyoga.
The first group is associated with logic and metaphysics, the second and the third with ethics ( and religion ) and the fourth with mathematics
According to the Jaina tradition an omniscient being of immeasurable knowledge climbs up a tree of penance, restrictions ( niyamas ) and knowledge and discharges a shower of flowers of knowledge with a view to enlightening persons capable of attaining salvation.
1 Aristotle has written a work on politics, too.
2 The Jaina viow about philosophy is oompared with those of other Indian sohools by Pt. Sukhlal Sanghavi in his Hindi article " Jaina tattvajõāna " forming the first part of pamphlet XII issued by " Jaina Cultural Research Society ", Benares.