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JAIN DIGEST.. May 2011
200BC to 200AD, most likely in the first century AD. It is likely that at this time, no clear division of the Jain Sangh had emerged, and thus both sects may be right in claiming him. The claims of both Digamber and Shwetamber groups differ a lot, and within their own claims there are contradictions. The colophon given at the end; Bhashya that he composed great work either explicitly expressed or implied in the city of Kusumapura (modern Patna) can give the best analytical clue that he possibly did spent lot of time in the North. This may also imply that he interacted with both Shwetamber and Digamber leaning groups. Acharya Samantabhadra was possibly the first Jain saint to write not only on religion but also on general subjects, such as ayurveda and Sanskrit grammar. Some consider him to be in the lineage of Umaswami. Digambers place the period of his life between AD 120 and 185.
Acharya Devarddhi Kşamāśramaņa. The credit of saving, and possibly re-writing the Jain canon (Agams) in a preserve-able form goes to this great Acharya (5th cent. A.D.).
Acharya Akalańka (8th cent. A.D.): Many consider him to be the father of Jain Logic. His works are: Nyaya Viniścaya (Perception, Inference and Authority), Siddhi Viniścaya - (Pramāņa, Naya & Nikşepa), Tattvärthavärttika -
Acharya Kundkund (also Kundkund) is a celebrated Jain Acharya, and great Jain scholar of (Commentary on Tattvärthasūtra of Umāsväti), the 2nd century CE. He is the composer of and Aştasati- (Commentary on Apta Mimänsä of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Samantabhadra). Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies a very high place in the tradition of the Jain Acharyas, especially among Digambers. For many Digambers, his name has auspicious significance and occupies third place after Bhagwan Mahavir and Gautama Ganadhar. Though his real name was Padmanandi, he is popularly referred to as Kundkund because he was born in a place named Kaundakunda in South India. Acharya Kundakunda has been called "Light of this Dark Age".
Acharya Siddhasen Diwakar was a highly intelligent Jain Acharya of his time. He was like the illuminating lamp of the Jain order and therefore came to be known as Siddhasen Diwakar. He is credited with the authorship of many books but sadly most of them are not available. Sanmatitarka is his best book on logic and is widely read even at present. The wellknown Kalyanmandir Stotra, a monumental work in Sanskrit poetry was also composed by him. Acharya Pujyapada, who lived in the 5th century CE was a renowned grammarian and saint belonging to the Digamber tradition of Jains.
Before initiation as a Jain ascetic, he was known as Devanandi. He was heavily influenced by the writings of his predecessors Acharya Kundkund and Samantabhadra.
Jain Education International
Acharya Haribhadra Suri lived around 650700AD but is traditionally believed to have lived from 459-529AD. He was a Shwetamber mendicant Jain leader and author. Haribhadra identifies himself as a student of Jinabhadra and Jinadatta of the Vidyadhara Kula. There are several, somewhat contradictory, accounts of his life. Tradition ascribes some 1400 different works to him. A more creditable number is in the vicinity of 100, some of which are among the most highly regarded works in Jainism.
Acharya Jindattasuri (1075-1154) was renowned Acharya having a huge impact on Jain religion and society. He formulated new rules and regulations. He revived the Khartargachchha sect. He abolished many malpractices prevailing all around and he inspired 500 shravaks and 700 shravikas for initiation. In Rajasthan Atmaya Jindattasuri was known as kalpavriksha, a wishyielding tree.
Acharya Hemachandra Suri (1089-1172) was a great Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who wrote on grammar, philosophy, prosody, and contemporary history. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gained the title Kalikal Sarvagya, (all knowing of the Kali age). A prodigious writer, Hemchandra wrote grammar of Sanskrit and Prakrit, texts on science and logic and practically all branches of Indian philosophy. His best known work, the epic poem Tri-shashthishalaka-purusha-charitra (Lives of Sixty-Three Great Men), is a hagiographical treatment of the sequence of teachers and their pupils who were instrumental in defining the Jain philosophical position, their asceticism and eventual liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth, as well as the legendary spread of the Jain influence. Acharya Abhaya Deva a 12th CE, Agamic scholar, author of various Tikas that expounded
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