Jain Digest 2007 11 1

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 17

Vikramaditya.. Maladhari Hemchandra was also a Sanskrit commentator during the twelfth century. Among the authors of Sanskrit commentaries on the Ägams, Malayagiri holds the supreme position. He was a contemporary of Acharya Hemchandra. Other scholars started writing Bälävabodha commentaries in contemporary Apabhramsha, which is an Old Gujarati language. Dharmasimha-Muni of 18th century rejected the interpretation given in the old commentaries and gave his interpretation. His interpretation fits in well with the tenets of his own sect (Loka-Gachchha), which had arisen in opposition to idol-worship.. Digambar Literature
The Digambar sect believes that there were 26 Agam-sutras (12 Anga-Pravishtha-Agams 14 Anga-Bahya-Agams). However, they were gradually forgotten, partially starting from one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahävir's Nirvän. Hence, they do not recognize the existing Agam-sutras recognized by the Shvetämbar sects.
In the absence of authentic scriptures, Digambars follow two main texts, three commentaries on main texts, and four Anuyogas consisting of more than 20 texts as the basis for their religious philosophy and practices. These scriptures were written by great Ächäryas (scholars) from 100 to 1000 AD. They have used the original Ägam Sutras as the basis for their
work. 2
Non-Ägam Literature
Jains have tens of thousands of non-Ägam books, which consist of commentaries and explanations of Ägam literature, and independent works, compiled by ascetics and scholars. They are written in many languages such as Präkrut, Sanskrit, Gujarati, old Marathi, Rajasthani, old Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, Tamil, German, and English. Some Sacred Books
All Jain sects consider Shri Tattvärtha-sutra as the main Jain textbook today. In this section, we will give glimpses of Shri Tattvärtha-sutra, Shri Uttarädhyayan Sutra (Shvetämbar scripture), and Shri Samaysär (Digambar sacred book). These are the three main textbooks used today.
Tattvärtha-Sutra
Tattvärtha Sutra is the first Jain text written in Sanskrit, probably written during 200-400AD. (This very important scripture has been discussed in lot more detail in the article above by Manu Doshi). Uttaradhyayan Sutra
Uttaradhyayan Sutra is another important scriptural text. Traditionally, it is said to contain the last sermons of Lord Mahavir. This text has various ways of narrating the Jain principles. They have been illustrated through the parables, the anecdotes, the episodes and the historical stories. It contains 36 chapters. Nearly, a third of them have the historical stories and the episodes. Some early chapters contain the parables and the concepts of Jainism. The variety of methods applied in the
JAIN DIGEST⚫ Winter 2007
text makes the book highly illustrative and interesting. The text is now available with translations in many languages: German, English, Hindi, Gujarati, etc. Its first English translation was published as early as 1895. Uttaradhyayan Sutra teaches us many points of ascetic life through the stories of Kapila, Nami, Mrugaputra, Sanjay, Rathanemi, Jay-vijay-ghosha and many more. They suggest that ascetic life accrues from the previous good Karma.
A good number of chapters describe the basic tenets of the Jain system. The practice of these tenets is the milestone of the inner and outer purification. The Karma theory is the essence of the Jain system. The practice of equanimity (Sämäyika) or meditation has been described. The theory of Leshyä (state of mind and karmic stains) is one of the most important psychological principles that reflect one's thought process. The last chapter gives us the details about the living and the non-living world. It deals with the physics, chemistry, botany and zoology.
Shri Samaysär
Acharya Shri Kunda-kunda Swami wrote Shri Samaysär around 100 AD. About 1100 years later, in the 10th century, Shri Amruta Chandra Ächarya Dev wrote critique on Samaysär. It is called Ätmakhyäti. Shri Jaysen Ächärya also wrote critiques in Sanskrit language. In this century, Shri Känji Swami gave detailed analysis on Samaysär in a lecture series in Gujarati, which is an easily understandable language for many laypeople. Samaysar has been translated into many languages including Sanskrit, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, English, etc. This text mainly explains the Jain philosophical doctrine of the soul. It explains all the nine 'reals' (Tattvas) from an absolute point of view. It insists that the soul's bondages are not due to Karma but to one's own weaknesses in effort making (Purushärtha). Liberation of soul will occur once he makes his own efforts. The scriptures and the enlightened preceptors are only to guide the soul in the right direction. Ätmasiddhi-shästra
Shrimad Räjchandra (1867-1901 A.D.) wrote some eight hundred letters, which chronicle his spiritual development. A collection of these letters is the one sacred text for the follower of Shrimad Räjchandra. For him the spiritual goal was the experience of the self, and once this was achieved, then so was the spiritual deliverance. In 1896, he wrote in one night a short verse (142 stanzas) treatise on his view of Jainism to his friend Sobhagbhai. This Ätmasiddhi-shästra, 'Attainment of the Soul,' defined six principles central to true religion: the soul exists, the soul is eternal, the soul is the doer of its actions, the soul is the experiencer of its actions, the state of liberation exists, and the means of gaining liberation exists. Many Jains see Shrimad Räjchandra as a great saint. His spiritual influence on Gandhi, and consequently on India and the world, through the dissemination of Ahimsä (non-violence) and other Jain principles, is incalculable. He died young but his work survives in a number of religious centers established by his followers.
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