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230
Kaṁsācārya (38 A.D.)
E. Acārāngadhārī1 Subhadra
Yasobhadra
Yaśabāhu
Lohācārya (156 A.D.)2
Aryarakşita (70 A.D.)3
Puspami'ra (70 A.D.) Skandila (300 A.D.313 A.D.)5
Jaina Ethics
Nagarjuniya (about 300 A.D.)6
Devardhi Gani Kşamāśra
mana
(527 A.D.)?
The extant Agamas
The Agamas, which were lost according to Digambara tradition gradually by 156 A.D., were put into their final shape in 527 A.D. according to Svetambara tradition. Without going into the sectarian question of the authenticity of these Agamas, we may point out that almost all scholars agree on four points about the extant Agamas:
(i) These Agamas do contain, directly and indirectly, some of the teachings of Mahāvīra.
(ii) There were certain changes in, and additions to, these Agamas as they were remodelled in the four councils.
(iii) Though they took their final shape as late as 527 A.D., yet many of them can be easily ascribed to a period much earlier than that, as early as 3rd cent. B.C.
5. Head of Mathura Council.
6. Head of the first Valabhi Council.
(iv) All the Agamas are not the work of ganadharas. For example, Daśavaikālika, is ascribed to Aryasyama; the
I. Those who knew the Acaranga only.
2.
The Digambaras hold that after him the knowledge of Angas was completely lost. They disown the Angas codified at Valabhi by Devardhi Gani Kşama śramana.
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3. He knew nine purvas completely and 24 yavikās of the 10th purva.
4. He was taught the first nine purvas by Aryarakşita but could not remember all of them.
7.
Head of the second Valabhi Council.
8. Wintenritz, M., A History of Indian Literature, Calcutta, 1933, Vol. II, P. 434.
9. Max Müller (ed.), SBE, Vol. XXII, Introduction, Oxford, 1884. p. XLIII.
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