________________
पाथ पर
B.1.1.3.2
Some Influential Jaina Acāryas
Prof. K. C. Sogani
1.0 Introduction The purpose of dealing with the above topic is to acquaint you with the prominent, Influential Jaina ācāryas who contributed to logic, ethics metaphysic and spiritualism (mysticism) as propounded by Jaina Thinkers. It is not a detailed treatment of the topic but only a simple presentation of some of the great ācāryas of Jaina Philosophy. I have not taken into account the contemporary ācāryas. We propose to classify the ācāryas in the following way.
1. Canonical ācāryas (Agama ācāryas) 2. Creative ācāryas (Sarjanātmaka ācāryas)
1. Canonical ācāryas (Agama ācāryas): After the attainment of omniscience (Kevala-jñāna) in 557 B.C. at the age of 42, Indrabhūti Gautama and Sudharmā Svāmi converted into Jaina canon (Agama), the deliverances of Mahāvīra. The language of the canon is Prakrit.
After two hundred years of the Nirvāṇa (emancipation) of Mahāvīra (527 B.C.) there was a terrible feminine in Magadha (4th Cent. B.C.) that lasted for twelve years. The result was that the knowledge of the Jaina canon started to suffer losses. Consequently Sthūlabhadra (4th Century BC) convened a council at Pāțaliputra (Patna) and the canon was fixed to some extent. In spite of the great other councils, the canon was in danger of being lost. Finally the credit of saving the Jaina canon goes to Devarddhi Gani Kșamāśramaņa (5th cent. A.D). the present canon comes to us because of this great ācārya.
The important names for writing commentaries on the Jaina canon are:
1. Bhadrabāhu II 6th cent. A.D. 2. Samghadāsagani7th cent. A.D. 3. Jinabhadragani 7th cent. A.D. 4. Jinadāsa Mahatara 7th cent. A.D. 5. Šīlamka 9th cent. A.D. 6. Abhayadeva 12th cent. A.D.
Page 110 of 317
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
