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20. TYPOLOGY OF JAIN MANUSCRIPTS
BY MUNI SRI PUNYAVIJAYAJI
DR. SHRIDHAR ANDHARE
It seems that the oral tradition continued till about the fourth century B. C. But, references to writing begin to appear in the early year of the Pali-Buddhist texts of Ca, fifth century B.C.' mentioning materials used for writing such as, leaves, wood and metal sheets. Towards the beginning of the Christian Era, the desire and need to religate holy teachings to writing began to manifest itself, and therefore, it became a matter of prime importance to record their spoken word into writing.
Finally, after a long spell of conflicting agreements between the two sects, the Svetambaras summoned a council of Monks at Mathura in Ca. fourth cent. A.D. and two more thereafter in quick succession at Vallabhi in Saurashtra around the same period. It is here, under the guidance of Acharya Devardhagani, the groups agreed to commission readations of the sacred texts. Thereafter there is a paucity of textual evidence of writing till about the 11th century A.D.
Subsequently, it is apparent that Jainism received substantial patronage from the kings, queens and ministers of state. Even earlier such generous endowments enabled the community to build temples and monastic
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