ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 67

Digambara: Svetāmbara:
Bīsapantha, Terāhpantha, Kāñjīpantha. Mūrtipūjaka, Sthānakavāsi, Terapantha
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From the demography and philosophy of Jains, we see them concentrated in big cities of India where economic progress was easier to achieve. The latest census of India conducted in 2006-7 show Jains as a small minority of 4.8 million persons living primarily in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi (including adjoining western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana). Further this small minority is most literate (more than 98 percent and economically prosperous). Similarly we see a number of Jains (almost 100000) migrating to USA, Canada, Europe and other parts of the world to test their academic and business acumen. Most of them are now well established.
Vast corpus of Jain scriptural texts offer detailed discussions of all aspects of their ontology, philosophy, religion, metaphysics, ethics, karma doctrine, mysticism, epistemology, rituals etc. The original texts are written in Prakrit while later ones are in Sanskrit and other regional languages. There are twelve primary canons called Anga-pravişta and a vast corpus of secondary texts. Some examples of secondary texts are Uttarādhyayana, Daśavaikālika Sūtra and Avaśyaka, Jayadhavlā, Şatkhandāgama, Tiloyapannatti, Samayasāra, Pravacanasāra, Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra, Mūlācāra etc. Tattvārtha-sūtra by Umāsvāti is considered as a holy text by all Jains and is a comprehensive text written in Sanskrit and aphoristic style. A number of devotional poems and pūjas were written and are recited regularly by Jains. Bhaktāmara Stora, Kalyāna-Mandira-stora, Sāmāyika Pātha, twelve contemplations, self-critique / reflections (Alocanā-pāțha or pratikrmana-mantras) are some of the popular devotional poems.
DOCTRINES The following statements indicate the main doctrinal aspects of Jainism:
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There are infinite numbers of souls, each soul being identified as a living being. Each soul has eternal existence and has capability to attain supreme soul status. All souls or jīvas (living beings) are equal and can achieve supreme soul status (paramātmā or Godhood) by their own strenuous efforts.?
Jains in India and abroad by Prof. Prakash C Jain, Published by ISJS, Delhi, 2011, pp 48-85 7 'Ye tribhuvana me jīva ananat sukha cāhe....' Chaha Dhala by Pt. Daulat Ram, verse 1.2
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0