Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 70

48 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
the intelligent mind of today. The contents of this Anga included astronomy, astrology, prognostics and the like. This was felt against the Jaina tenets. Hence the new contents were substituted. They can not be original. The matter requires serious consideration. Why this could not be taken as lost like DỊstivāda ? (C) Secondary, Supplementary or Angabāhya Canons
The third series of Prākrta canons are called supplementary ones. They consists of five groups. They are detailed in Table 5 b. Many of them are as old as basic canons but quite a number of them are of later composition. The first group is called Upāngas - a term coined not earlier than seventh century. Each Anga is said to have an Upānga. Their contents are varied and involve didactic stories, legends, Jaina mythology and metaphysics, many topics related with physical phenomena, astronomy, astrology and others. The other groups also reflect a variety of contents for the laymen and ascetics. The details of these groups indicate their variety of size reflecting their volume. Many of these books are useful for this study in different contexts. However, it must be pointed out that Digambaras do not have this much number and variety of secondary canons. They have only 14 as said before and named below:
(i) Sāmāyika, (ii) Caturvimšatistava, (iii) Vandanā, (iv) Pratikramana, (v) Dasavaikālika, (vi) Uttarādhyayana, (vii) Kalpavyavahāra, (viii) Kalpyākalpa, (ix) Mahākalpa, (x) Niśithika, (xi) Vainayika, (xii) Krtikarma, (xiii) Pundarika and (xiv) Mahāpundarika. The equivalents of 1-10 are in the earlier list ( Table 5b E) while 11-14 are specific. Dhavalā (1. 1.2, p. 98) describes the contents of these books. The last four describe humble conduct, method of worship, religious activities and penances leading to higher human status. The first ten have similar contents as in Table 5 b.
It is noteworthy here that the sizes of these supplementary canons are fairly reasonable in comparison to the primary canons.