Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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In the absence of full texts of authentic scriptures, Digambar tradition uses two main texts, three commentaries on main texts and four Anuyogas comprising 20 texts as its scriptural base. These scriptures were put in writing by great acharyas between 100 to 1000 A.D. based on memory-versions of original Agama sutras inherited from their distinguished predecessors. The scriptural base of the Digambar tradition is SHATKHANDAGAM in six parts containing the essence as well as the substance of the original Anga Agamas as passed on by erudite Shrut-jnani Acharya Bhadrabahu (around 364 B.C.) to Acharya Dharsen and Ganadhar, and later on reduced to writing by Acharya Pushpadant and Bhutbali around 160 A.D. It has become a hoary tradition to celebrate the date of completion of Shatkhandagam as SHRUT PANCHAMI. Acharya Ganadhar also composed KASAYAPAHUDA, which is rated in importance next to Shatkhandagam in Digambar scriptures. Around 780 A.D., Acharya Virsen wrote a learned Commentary called Dhavla-tika on Shatkhandagam comprising 20,000 stanzas, while remaining portion comprising 40,000 stanzas called Mahadhavala-tika was completed by his pupil Acharya Jinsen after his death. Likewise Jaya-dhavala-tika was written as commentary on KASAYAPAHUDA. Abiding contribution to Jain religious literature was made during 100 A.D. by Acharya Kundkunda. He wrote 23 books among which SAMAYASAR, Panchastikaya, Pravachansar, Niyamsar, Ashtapahuda, Moolachar and Dwadasanupreksa are highly rated as of quasi-scriptural status reflecting creative and in-depth interpretation of Jain spirituality and its various facets. TATVARTHA SUTRA written in Sanskrit language is another renowned religious book highly regarded by all the Jain sects and traditions. It was written by Acharya Umaswati in 200 A.D. and contains the entire essence (TATVA GYAN) of Jainism. In the centuries that followed many renowned saints in both Digambar and Swetambar traditions wrote commentaries on it.
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A Portrait of Jain Religion