Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): J L Jaini, F W Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 41

INTRODUCTION : HISTORY, ETC.
xxxvii
521 years into different sub-periods and with different ascetics in them. But they generally agree in holding that the Sruti-keralins were followed by the DasaPurvins, the Dasa-Purvins by the Ekādaśa-Angins, and the Ekādaśa-Angins by the minor or Catur-Argins and Eka-Angins. After this all the Pattāvulīs agree that no one was left with the knowledge of even one Angu, as it was first preached by Mahāvīra and then explained to the world by his chief disciples, the Gana-dharas.
In the time of Mahāvīra and the Kevalins writing was not employed to record the teachings of Jainism. Like the Brahmans, Buddhists, and others, the Jainas (they were called the Nigganthas or Nirgranthas) also had reconrse to a highly trained memory for the preservation and propagation of their faith. But, as we have seen above, the knowledge of the Jaina scriptures was decaying generation after generation : and in the fourth century B.C. the Jainas had also begun to split up into the Svetāmbaras and Digambaras. The Jaina Siddhānta was considered to be in imminent peril of being quite destroyed, if matters were left as they then were. Recourse was had to the art of writing, which for about four centuries had been progressing in the land.
According to the Svetāmbaras, the Canon was reduced to fixity by the Council of Pātali-putra (modern Patna, in Behar) near the end of the fourth century B.C. But its final form was due to the Council at Valabhi, under the presidency of
i For the whole subject see Dr. Hoernle's articles in Indian Antiquary, vol. xx. pp. 341 sqq. ; and rol. xxi. pp. 57 sqq.