Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): S Gopalan
Publisher: Wiley Eastern Private Limited New Delhi

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JAINISM
the seven schisms. The latter Anga incorporates in itself some extracts from all the twelve Angas.
Bhagavati : This is considered to be a very sacred source-book since it deals with the contemporaries of Mahāvīra and those who came before him. The book treats of the rival schools founded by Gośāla and Jamāli. Weber's conclusion that Jainism is of a very ancient origin is based on this text.
Jñātādharmakathāḥ : The main characteristic of this book is that it is narrative in content and contains a number of parables from each one of which a moral is drawn and proclaimed. Weber points out : “All these legends give us the impression of containing traditions which have been handed down in good faith. They offer, in all probability (especially as they frequently agree with the Buddhist legends) most important evidence for the period of the life of Mahāvīra himself.''5
A serious student of Indian thought cannot but be reminded here of the Purāņa literature of the Hindus and Jätaka literature of the Buddhists. The narrations are aimed at conveying highly significant moral principles in the form of extremely simple stories and interesting parables. For instance, the first book of this Anga contains the story of a merchant having four daughters-in-law. Wanting to 'test' them, he gives each one five grains of rice, with the specific instruction that they should give them back to him when he asks for the same. The first daughter-in-law, with indifference throws the grains away with the thought that when the father-in-law asks for the grains, she could easily take some from the godown. The second one eats the grains. The third carefully preserves the grains and the fourth one sows them and when the merchant asks for the grains she has a lot of stock. The aim of the parable is to classify monks into four types : the monks who are not at all serious about the five vows, the monks who neglect the vows, the monks who adhere to the vows scrupulously and strictly and lastly the monks who not only adhere to the vows but also propagate them.
Upāsakadašāḥ, Antakyddaśāḥ & Anuttaraupapādikadašāh : These are all narrative in content and contain a number of parables
5 1. A., XIX, p. 65 • Jũata-Sutra, 63