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VIPĀKA SŪTRA - SOME CHRONOLOGICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Prof. R. N. Mehta, Ahmedabad. Introduction :
Vipāka Sūtra or Vivāga Suyam, the eleventh Anga is a text of twenty Adhyayanas of 1216 Sloka length. These are divided in ten Dukhavipakas and ten Sukhavipākas.
The complete Anga literature according to the svetambara tradition consists of twelve Angas : the Ācāranga etc. Dịşțivada, the last one however does not exist.
These twelve are jointly known as 'Ganipidaga' or Gaạipitaka. This term seems to be derived from the Buddhist works, the Tripitakas. Problem :
In the present stage of information there is a difference of opinion about the existence of the survival of original teachings of Mahāvira. The svetambara tradition asserts that the meaning of the original teaching of Mahavira has survived. The Gañadharas had preserved it and this tradition continues, so the literature chronologically refers to a period of circa 5th cent. B.C.
It is to be noted that often the verbal tradition continues for many generations and therefore, the claim of the continuation of the basic concepts of the teaching of Mahavira rests on sound experience.
However the śvetāmbara tradition asserts that the canonical literature passed through the following stages. The tradition was finally collated at Mathurā. It was reedited by Nagarjuna at Valabhi, the capital of the Maitrakas. At this place, the edition of Mathura known as "Māthuri Vācana' was committed to writing.
Thus it is clear that the tradition notes that the Angas were committed to writing at Valabhi. Chronologically this event took place prior to the 8th century A.D. when Valabhi suffered heavily and Maitraka dynasty was wiped out. 7. Seminar on Jaiu Agama
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