Jain Literature

Author(s): Paul Marett
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 6

come to conclusions which are but they too died without study of the ancient Jain different from the traditional passing on the texts to their literature is a very valuable views. This is true of other successors. A few parts only work, difficult it is true, but religions as well as Jainism. seems to have been preserved ultimately very rewarding. When scholarly research began in the memory of some monks to be applied to the Christian and were passed on in the Reprinted from THE JAIN, December 1982.) Bible large numbers of more Digambara tradition until they conservative Christians were were finally put in the written THE TATTVARTHA SUTRA upset by the results. But in fact, form around 200 AD. Of course now that the fuss has died down quite a lot of material in the DATE, AUTHORSHIP AND and the conclusions of the Purvas has probably been IMPORTANCE experts have been shown to be incoporated in other writings. Like so many carly lain tests, the generally right the fact that the twelfth work in the group or Tattvartha Sutra is difficult to Christians know the way in which Jain writings known as the date, The author, Umasvati, or their sacred writings were ANGAS is believed to have Umasvami, is a shadowy figure compiled, which parts were included much of the Purvas, and scholars have suggested added later, which are but unfortunately the twelfth various dates for his life, Some interdependent on each other Anga have been largely lost lain sources place him as early or come from a common source, (though the other eleven have as the first century of the which can be regarded as survived). the matter is quite Vikrama Samvat* (in European genuine history and which are complicated and doubtless terms around the beginning of only edifying stories (but not scholars of the future will have a the Christian era): Guerinot necessarily less valuable for difficult but fascinating job (1926, poll suggests 44-85 AD. that), after this the value of the unravelling it. From other P.S. Jaini (1979, p81) dates him Bible has been strengthened references, however, it is without comment to the second not weakened. We must believe possible to get some idea of century AD in agreement with that there is no conflict between what the Purvas contained many Digambara sources, On modern scientific research There seems to have been some the other hand, the fourth or methods and true religion. This material about the nature of the fifth century AD is accepted as is a fact which should be universe as understood by jain probable by von particularly evident to Jains, thinkers in antiquity and with Glasenappi 1925, p106). whose religion is particularly this, of course, astronomy (and Not only his date but other well able to fit in with modern its sister science-less information about Umasvati's scientific world.
acceptable nowadays- life is uncertain. Digambara One of the fascinating astrology). The nature of karma tradition would put him as a problems of Jain writing relates seems to have been discussed student, or at least in the line of to the collection known as the as well as the practice of yoga. Succession of the famous south PURVAS (also spelled Indeed it seems possible that Indian scholar Kundakunda PUVVAS). These were fourteen the Purvas were related to the whose dates and life are works which were believed to go wider body of very early Indian equally uncertain) whilst back to the time of Parsva 250 religious literature. It has been Svetambara and the Digambara years before Mahavira. They argued that the Purvas claim Umasvati, or Umasvami, as were passed down by word of preserved an important body of their own: there are naturally mouth (none of the Jain ancient ascetic literature which some differences between the 'writings' was actually written is referred to in many other Svetambara and Digambara down until very many centuries Indian writings.
versions of the Tattvartha Sutra. later) until the middle of the One day perhaps researchers Modern scholars have been fourth century BC. It is gcncrally will have managed to unable to resolve this question: agreed by ancient writers that reconstruct the probable text of it may well be, as suggested by the great lain leader the Purvas. Perhaps in the great von Glasenapp (1925, p 106). Bhadrabahu was the last man to Jain libraries of India there are that the division between the know all fourteen of the Purvas. manuscripts which have not yet two sects had not yet hardened After his time there were some been fully studied but which will by Umasvati's time. According to people who knew parts of them help in this world. The scientific early commentators the