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Abstract
Theory
Psycho-Social Aspects of Jaina Mathematics
A simple probe is rendered into the psychological background of development of Jaina mathematics. General psychology of Jaina way of life controlled by the principles of truth and non-violence played a vehement role in the development of this branch of exact sciences. Besides it has been shown that mathematics was part and parcel of the knowledge on the part of Jaina monks who influenced the social and religious modes of life. Jaina karma theory can hardly be understood without the aid of mathematical background. It is worth noticing that Jaina mathematics and astronomy had not only regulated the Jaina mode of life, but they also influenced the social and religious life-style of the Indian nation as a whole.
S. S. LISHK & SM. AMARJIT KAUR
Jain Education International
Jaina school of mathematics owes its origin to remote antiquity. Jaina canonical literature was compiled much after the Jaina way of thinking had come into existence which is evident from the fact that there had been a long tradition of verbal instruction from preceptor to disciple. There are certain works namely Karma-pāhuḍa and Kasaya-pāhuḍa popularly known as Dhavala and Jaya-dhavala Siddhantas after the names of their respective commentaries which form the important surviving pieces of Dvadas ängi (twelve limbs) according to Digambara tradition and works like Surya-prajñapti, Jambudvipa-prajñapti and Candra-prajñapti according to Svetambara tradition which comprise of several technicalities of mathematical nature. Much analysis has been done by scholars like L. C. Jain, Dr. R. C. Gupta, Dr. S. S. Lishk and others in this regard. Parallel to Vedanga school of mathematics and astronomy, Jaina school of mathematics and astronomy had its own terminology. Controlled by the principles of truth and non-violence, the Jaina Acaryas had tried to preserve the mathematical and astronomical knowledge in a most sacred manner, the example of which is still found in most of Jaina saints who can recite several parts of Jaina canonical literature without understanding
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