Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

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5. BARASA ANUVEKKHA In this scripture twelve bhavanas have been discussed. The twelve Bhavanas are
1. Adhruva (Anitya) - Impermanent forms of matters 2. Asharna - Non-refuge - No refuge except the pure-self 3. Ekatva - Lone character of the soul 4. Anyåtva - Distinctness of the soul 5. Sansar - Cycle of births and deaths 6. Lok - Nature of Universe 7. Ashuchi - Impure and dirty nature of the physical body 8. Asrava - Influx of karmic matter 9. Samvar - To contemplate on the pure-self and stoppage of karmas 10. Nirjara - Spiritual progress and annihilation of karmas 11. Dharma - True nature of the self
12. Bodhidurlabha - Rarity of spiritual knowledge The scripture has 91 gathas. This scripture is very useful for promoting non-attachment towards worldly things.
6. KURAL Kural is a very popular composition in Tamil. It is known as Tamil Veda. The composition has been translated into Hindi, English and so many other national and foreign languages. The Christians are of the opinion that it is a Christian compositon. The Hindus take it as a composition by an untouchable Hindu. But in the opinion of some scholars it is in fact a Jain Book. Pt. Govindarai Shastri (Jhansi) has proved that Kural is a Jain composition and it has been written by Shri Ela Acharya. Ela Acharya is the other name of Shri Kundakunda Acharya. Kural's Chapter classification is very similar to that of a Jain scripture. Moreover, the first couplet or chapter in most books throws light on the nature of philosophy and its "mangalacharan" makes reference to the God or Guru one follows. In kural, there is a prayer to "Adi Bhagwan" in the first couplet and it must refer to Adinath, the first Thirthankara of Jains. Moreover, the first chapter refers to "Pure Knowledge" (2nd couplet) and control of five senses (6th couplet) and eight-properties of God or Siddha (9th couplet) clearly alludes to Jain Philosophy. It seems that the author has dealt with Dharma, Artha and Kama in