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Anupam Jash :The Präksta Jaina Literature and its philosophical value
the first time the status of being the medium of religious and ethical preaching and teachings and hence, had the change of being cultivated and the outcome was the appearance of the great Ardhamāgadhi Canons (of Svetāmbaras) and the pro-Canons (of Digambaras) in later days 14. The Jain literature includes both religious texts and books on generally secular topics such as sciences, history, and grammar. PrākritArdhamāgadhi literature includes the Agamas, Agama-tulya texts, and Siddhanta texts. Composition in Prākstas ceased around 10th cent AD.
For students of Jainism the Jaina Prāksta literature is a rich source of certain unique material". A huge mass of Jaina literature in Prāksta has grown around the Ardhamāgadhi Canon taking the forms of Āgamas, Niryuktis, Bhāsyas, and Cūrnis from which arose later vast and varied types of narrative literature : biographies of religious celebreties, legendary tales of diadactic motives, illustrative fables, parables, popular romances, fairy tales, Kāthanakas, Kathākoșas etc. • The Jaina Canons :
The Jaina Canonical works constitute an important section of Prāksta literature. The preaching of Lord Mahāvīra and his disciples have come down to us in the Jaina Āgamas, the Canon, in Ardhamāgadhi. The Agama contains the following sections: (1) twelve Angas, (2) twelve Upangas, (3) ten Prakīrnas, (4) six cheda Sūtras, (5) two Cūlikā-Sūtras, and (6) four Mūla sūtras. (The twelve angas, according to Digambaras, are completely lost. But the Svetāmbaras believed that only the twelfth anga Dițțivāda or Dțśțivāda, is lost).
1. Ācārānga Sutra (Āyārāng). 2. Sutrakstanga Sutra (Suyagadāng).
14. Khadabadi, B.K. Op. cit, p. - 297. 15. Dixit, K.K. On studying the Prakrit Literature, in 'Prakrit Studies', L.D.
Institute : Ahmedabad, 1978. p. - 38.
| SR No. | 520275 |
| Book Title | Jain Journal 2009 07 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Satyaranjan Banerjee |
| Publisher | Jain Bhawan Publication |
| Publication Year | 2009 |
| Total Pages | 48 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India |
| File Size | 6 MB |