Jain Journal 2002 01

SR No.: 520145
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 84
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 5 MB

Page 24

BRAHMESHANANDA: ACARANGA
Jain scriptures are in Ardhamägadhi or Prakṛt, which was the language of the common people at the time of Lord Mahāvīr. Hindi and English translations of the important scriptures are now available.
The Acārānga
The Acaranga Sūtra is the most important of the Angas. Written in ancient Prākṛt, it is considered the oldest Jain scripture extant. It consists of two books called Śruta-skandhas which differ in style and the manner in which the subject is treated. The sub-divisions of the second book are called cius or appendices. It is believed that only the first book is really old and contains the authentic teachings of Lord Mahāvir, while the second one has been added to it at a later date.
Synopsis of the contents of the Acaranga
The first book has eight chapters and lays down the philosophical precepts and psychological reasons for moral conduct of an ascetic. The first chapter of the first book is called 'Sastraparijñā', the Knowledge of Weapons [of violence]. Weapons may be physical or, more important. mental. By these are meant the misconceptions and motives, prompted by which violence to six types of beings is committed. Parijñā is twofold: comprehension and renunciation. The subject of the first chapter, therefore, is comprehension and renunciation of everything that hurts other beings.
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The second chapter is entitled 'Loka-Vijaya', the Conquest of the World. Father, mother, wife, children, wealth etc. constitute the external world of an individual. But there is also an internal world made up of attachment, aversion, love, hatred, desires, and ego, and the real conquest consists in overcoming these evil tendencies. This is the central theme of the second chapter.
The third chapter called 'Sitoṣṇiya', Heat and Cold, urges an aspirant to forbear with patience and equanimity all obstacles which inevitably come in the spiritual path in the form of favourable (sita) and unfavourable (usna) physical and mental circumstances. It also deals with key-concepts like lack of vigilance (pramāda), attachment. and the four kaṣāyas, viz., anger, egoism, deceit and greed.
religious stories, parables etc. (3) Ganitanuyoga is associated with calculations of time, duration of cycles etc. (4) Dravyanuvoga deals with philosophy, metaphysics, logic etc.