Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1997 11 YJA Regional Convention

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 68

1.
Name of City
Time Patli-putra
@320 B.C. Mathura and Valabhi @380 A.D. Valabhi
@520 A.D.
Around 1400 to 1600 AD, the Swetambar sect also divided into three subsects known as Swetambar Murtipujak, Sthanakvasi, and Terapanthi. Differences also exist among all three Swetambar Jain sects in their acceptance of the validity and interpretations of the documented Jain scriptures (Agam Sutras) and other literature.
Jain Literature Jain literature is classified into two major categories:
1. Agam or Canonical Literature (Agam Sutras)
Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the Jain religion. They are written in the Ardha-magadhi Prakrit language.
2. Non-agam Literature
Non-agam literature consists of commentary and explanation of Agam literature, and independent works, compiled by ascetics and scholars. They are written in many languages such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsa, Old Marathi, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, Tamil, German, and English.
1. Agam Literature:
Lord Mahavir's preaching was methodically compiled by his immediate disciples known as Gandharas, and elder monks known as Srut-kevalis into many texts known as Sutras. These Sutras are collectively known as Agams or Agam Sutras, the sacred books of the Jain religion. Hence, the Jain religion does not have one sacred book like the Bible or Koran, but it has many books compiled by several Gandharas and Srut-kevalis during 150 years after Lord Mahavir's nirvan (death).
Agam literature is also divided into two groups:
A. Ang-agams or Ang-pravista-agams
B. Ang-bahya-agams (outside of Ang-agams)
57
Jain Education Intemational