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JAINA PHILOSOPHY : AN INTRODUCTION
Knowledge in the Jaina Canons :
Knowledge is divided into five broad categories in the Jaina canons. The conception of five-fold knowledge is very old. We come across some descriptions in the canons which show that the conception of five-fold knowledge is precanonical. Even before Lord Mahāvīra this division existed. Keśikumāra, a preceptor following the tradition of Lord Pārsvanātha, the twenty-third tirthankara of Jainism, mentioned five kinds of knowledge as ābhinibodhika-jñāna, śruta-jñāna, avadhi-jñāna, manaḥparyaya-jñāna and kevalajñāna.' It clearly shows that Lord Mahāvīra had accepted the tradition of the conception of knowledge as it was in existence - before him.
Now, how does this conception develop in the canonical period ? What additions are made ? We find three stages of development in the canons: 2
1. At the first stage, knowledge is divided into five categories according to the above tradition as under :
Jñāna
Ābhini. bodhika
Śruta
Avadhi
Kevala
Manah. paryaya
Avagraha
Ihā
Avāya
Dhāraņā
2. The second stage presents two broad divisions of knowledge, viz., pratyakşa and parokșa. These two categories are further divided into various sub-divisions.
The scheme according to the Sthânānga-sūtra is as follows:
1. Rāja-praśniya, 165. 2. Nyāyāvatāra-vārtika-vrtti : Introduction, p.58.
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