Jain Journal 2014 07

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 58

Historical Development of Jaina Epistemology and Logic
Dr. Anupam Jash* The development of Jaina theory of knowledge or epistemology extends over a long period. And it can be devided into three parts.
First, the Jaina epistemology ofāgamic period begins with the age of tirthařkara Mahāvīra (600 BC) continued to the first century AD.
Secondly, the Jaina epistemology of Philosophical period from the first/second century to the eighth century A.D., beings with Kundakunda (Ist cent.), Umāsvāti, Siddhasena Divākara and Samantabhadra (600 AD) and lasts up to the age of Acāryya Hemacandra (1100 AD) and Mallişeņa Sūri (1229 AD).
Thirdly, there is the tārkik period of Jaina epistemology which begins with ācāryya Yasovijaya (18th cent.) and continues to his followers. Dawn of Jaina Epistemology:
The idea of knowledge and its various types can be traced as early as the history of Jainism. An exhaustive study of Jaina philosophy indicates that the Jaina theory of knowledge existed long before the birth of Mahāvīra and it is associated with the age of Pārsvanātha, which is not later than 800 BC. But we found that the main discussion about the theory of knowledge was originated in the time of the 24th tīrthařkara, Lord Mahāvīra, as well as the Jaina canonical literature. The extant Jaina canonical literature is based on the discourses of the 24th tirthamkara, Lord Mahāvīra. He had eleven main disciples who are known as "Gañadharas'. Indrabhūti Gautama was the first gañadhara who gave the sūtra form the discourses of Lord
*. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Philosophy, Bankura Christian College.