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Chapter 4. Jaina Scriptures
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(spiritual discourse) was written in four main sutras by acharyas:
1. Uttaradhyyana, 2. Dashavaikalika (Acharya Shamyabhav wrote this sutra
knowing death of his 8 year son close at hand), 3. Avashyak Niryukti and 4. Pind Niryukti or Odh Niryukti.
Sacred Books of the Digambers:
Digambers maintain that the Svetambers scriptures are not the true canonical texts, which they insist were totally lost as long ago as the second century A.D. However the Digambers do have a large body of texts, which they regard as sacred, in four collections called four Anuyogas (expositions):
1. Prathamanuyoga (the First Exposition): This
includes biographies of 63 extraordinary people (Shalka Purusho) and the Wheel of Time (Kal Chakra). There are other legendary works (Puranas) on this subject, some of which are: Padma-Harivansha, Trishashtilakhana, Maha and Utara-purana.
2. Karananuyoga (exposition of technical matters):
This includes Jaina Geography (cosmos triloka) and four destinities (gatis) of rebirth, as a heavenly being, as a human being, as a hell being or as an animal or plant. Some of the other notable works on cosmological works are Surya-pragnapti, Chandrapragnapti and Jayadhavala.
3. Charananuyoga (exposition on conduct): It
includes description of three spiritual jewels (faith, knowledge and conduct) and rules for conducts of ascetics and of laity. Vattakera's Mulachara and Trivarnachara, also Samantabhadra's RatnakarandaShravakachar, are other works on these subjects.
