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 69

Ang-agams or Ang-pravista-agams:
Lord Mahavir's immediate disciples were known as Ganadharas. All Ganadharas possessed perfect knowledge (keval-jnan) and attained liberation at the end of their human life. They orally compiled the direct preaching of Lord Mahavir into twelve main texts (sutras). These texts are known as Ang-agams. Hence the Ang-agams are the oldest religious scriptures and the backbone of Jain literature.
Present Status of Ang-agams:
Total Jain Sects
Ang-agams Recognized
Lost
Number of Ang-agams Survived
Number of Ang-agams
12 12
Digambar Swetambar Murtipujak Swetambar Sthanakvasi Swetambar Terapanthi
11
12
The twelfth Ang-agam is called Drastivad. The Drastivad consists of fourteen Purva texts, also known as Purvas or Purva-agams. Among Ang-agams, Purvas were the oldest sacred texts. All Jain sects believe that knowledge of the Purvas (Drastivad) was gradually lost starting about one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahavir's nirvan (death). However, other Jain scriptures and literature reference the subject matter of the Purvas.
The Digambar Jain sect also believes that the other remaining eleven Ang-agams were gradually lost. All Swetambar Jains believe that the eleven Ang-agams were remembered by their ascetics and were properly documented by them during the last two conferences that were held in Mathura and Valabhi around one thousand years after Lord Mahavir's nirvan.
Ang-bahya-agams (outside of Ang-agams):
Monks who had knowledge of a minimum of ten Purvas were known as Srut-kevlis. They possessed the total knowledge of reality (soul, matter, their relationship etc.) through scriptures. The Srut-kevlis wrote many texts (sutras) expanding the subject matter of the Ang-agams. Collectively these texts are called Ang-bahya-agams meaning outside of Ang-agams.
The different Jain sects accept different numbers of Ang-bahya texts.
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