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In Search of the Ultimate
APPENDIX
JAIN SCRIPTURES
Jain holy books contain the preachings of Tirthankaras. The main disciples of Tirthankaras hear and memorise them. For this reason the main holy books are also called 'sruta' (as heard). Jains are mainly divided into two factions, Shvetambara and Digambara. Shvetambaras maintain that the original discourses are preserved in books called Agams.. Digambaras believe that the original preaching of Tirthankaras was lost and that what we now have cannot be called Agams. Therefore we have two sets of compositions. Shvetambara Agams and Digambar holy books.
In a conference held at Vallabhi (now in the State of Gujarat), Shvetambara books-Agams- were finally compiled and it was decided to write them down. What we have now got is the resultant work of this historic conference held in AD 453. Let us see the important books
Shvetambar texts- AGAMS
ANGA UPANGA MUL-SUTRA CHHED-SUTRA MISCELLANEOUS (Mainlimb) (Subsidiaries) 11 Books 12 books 4 books 6 books
10 books
plus two other books = In all 45 books are referred to as AGAMS
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