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 70

Present Status of Ang-bahya-agams
Digambar
Swetambar Murtipujak Swetambar Sthanakvasi
Swetambar Terapanthi
Number of
Ang-bhya-agams Recognized
14
34
21
21
Number of Ang-bhya-agams
Lost
14
0
0
0
Number of Ang-bhya-agams Survived
The Digambar sect believes that all Ang-bahya-agams were also gradually lost starting about two hundred years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvan. Hence in its opinion, the complete Jain agam literature is lost within few hundred years after Lord Mahavir's nirvan.
Classification of Ang-bahya-agams:
The Swetambar sect has divided Ang-bahya-agams into the following categories:
Upang-sutras or Upang-agams:
The scriptures, which provide further explanation of Ang-agams, are called Upang-agams.
0
34
21
21
Chhed-sutras or Chhed-agams:
The subject matters described in Chhed-sutras are only for ascetics not for lay people. They relate to the conduct and behavior of monks and nuns. They also explain how they can repent for their sins and mistakes.
Mool-sutras:
The scriptures, which are essential for ascetics to study in the earlier stages of their monkhood, are called Mool-sutras.
Chulika-sutras:
The scriptures, which further enhance or decorate the meaning of Ang-agams are known as Chulika-sutras.
Prakirna-sutras:
The scriptures, which describe independent or miscellaneous subjects of the Jain religion, are known as Prakirna-sutras.
Following is the list of number of Ang-bahya-agams recognized as authentic scriptures by different Jain Swetambar Sects:
59