Book Title: $JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)
Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
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JAIN HISTORY LITERATURE and
SECTS
"Samyag-darshan-jnän-chäriträni Moksha Märgah".
This is Jainism in a nutshell. It means that right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct collectively are the path to liberation (Moksha). The next three verses mention the seven elements. The rest of the first chapter deals with the process of cognition and details about different types of knowledge. The details about right conduct are included in chapters eight and nine.
The second, third and fourth chapters deal with the soul (Jiva).
The second chapter deals with the soul (Jiva).
The third chapter deals with descriptions of hell, hellish beings, human beings, animals, and Jain geography.
The fourth chapter deals with heaven and heavenly beings.
The fifth chapter deals with the non-soul (Ajiva).
The sixth, seventh and eighth chapters deal with the various types of karma and their manifestations, as well as the inflow and bondage of karma (Bandha and Äsrava).
The ninth chapter describes the stoppage and shedding off the karma (Samvar and Nirjarä).
The tenth chapter is about the complete liberation of the soul or Moksha.
Saman Suttam (Non-ägam Literature)
The book Saman Suttam is a brief compilation of the essential principles of the Jain religion and philosophy. It was created in 1974 during the 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir. The compilation is based on from various Shvetämbar Jain Ägams, Digambar literature (Shästras), and some ancient texts. It contains 756 Sutras or verses, in four main parts and 44 sub-sections. Its contents are meant to give the reader a general acquaintance with the doctrines of the Jain religion, its code of ethics and the process of gradual spiritual advancement of life, in a traditional but devotional manner.
E02 Jain Scriptures and Literature
11 Summary
The Jain literature, which was compiled by Ganadhars and Shruta-kevalis, is known as Ägam literature. These texts are the Holy Scriptures of the Jain religion. The Jain Ägams consisted of 1) 14 Purvas, 2) 12 Anga-pravishtha Ägams and 3) Anga-bähya Ägams (34 for Shvetämbar Murtipujak, 21 for Shvetämbar Sthänakaväsi and 14 for Digambar).
All sects agree that the 14 Purvas and Drashtiväda, the 12th Anga-pravishtha Ägam, are extinct. Digambars believe that all Jain Ägams are extinct, whereas the Shvetämbar sects accept the existing Jain Ägams as authentic teachings of Bhagawän Mahävir. However, Shvetämbar Murtipujaks believe that there are 34 Anga-bähya Ägams existing while Shvetämbar Sthänakaväsis believe that there are 21 Anga-bahya Agams existing.
The composition of the scriptures has a specific purpose of showing the listener the path of everlasting happiness and liberation. The Ägam Sutras teach eternal truth about conduct, equanimity, universal affection, and friendship, and the eternal truths on thinking, namely, the principles of relativity and nonone-sidedness. It also teaches many spiritual attributes including great reverence for all forms of life, soul, Karma, universe, strict codes of asceticism, rules for householders, compassion, nonviolence, and non-possessiveness.
12 Names of Jain Ägam Literature
Sanskrit Name
1
Utpäd-Purva
2
Agrayaniya-Purva
3 Virya-praväd-Purva
00 Purva01
00 Purva02
00 Purva03
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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